How Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par breaks the toxic alpha male mould set by Animal and Kabir Singh

Ranbir Kapoor's character in Animal is portrayed as emotionally scarred and deeply possessive, often expressing love through aggression. His idea of masculinity is rooted in protectionism, dominance, and emotional suppression. While his performance is intense, the character normalises destructive behaviours in the name of loyalty and love. The alpha here is loud, violent, and emotionally unavailable, a persona that can be damaging if romanticised.

Kabir Singh, as portrayed by Shahid Kapoor, is impulsive, angry, and entitled. His possessiveness and inability to handle rejection manifest in abusive tendencies, alcohol dependence, and self-destruction. While the film tries to present him as a genius with emotional depth, his refusal to respect boundaries and his toxic relationship ideals make him a dangerous model of masculinity. His version of alpha male lacks accountability and emotional growth.

In Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan plays Gulshan: a character that redefines strength; he’s firm yet kind, principled yet flexible, and never uses aggression to prove a point. Instead, Gulshan’s calm demeanor, emotional intelligence, and patience make him a refreshing male lead. He connects deeply with children, teaches through kindness, and faces adversity without losing his moral compass. His masculinity isn’t rooted in control but in care, a rare portrayal in mainstream cinema.

Unlike Animal and Kabir Singh, Gulshan doesn’t view vulnerability as weakness. He listens more than he speaks, reflects instead of reacting, and leads by example. In a world where alpha often means dominating others, Gulshan shows strength in healing, teaching, and nurturing. He is emotionally available and never uses trauma as an excuse for poor behavior, a sharp contrast to the other two characters.

The alpha male image in Bollywood is evolving and it needs to. Gulshan from Sitaare Zameen Par challenges toxic masculinity by showing that being emotionally mature, kind, and grounded is just as powerful as being physically strong or aggressive. His character encourages audiences, especially men to rethink what it means to be a 'real man.' In a cinematic world filled with loud, broken men trying to fix themselves through chaos, Gulshan stands as a symbol of strength through sensitivity.