From Mohit Raina to Kranti Prakash Jha: 7 Actors Who Owned the Desi Rugged Look on OTT Like No One Else

Indian OTT has given rise to a brand-new kind of leading man – raw, rooted and unapologetically rugged. Gone are the glossy hero tropes; in their place are men shaped by dust, violence, power struggles and survival. From the lawless lanes of Purvanchal to crime-ridden towns and ruthless underworld setups, these actors didn’t just play characters, they lived them. With authentic dialects, weather-beaten looks and performances dripping with menace and realism, these seven actors perfectly embodied the desi rugged aesthetic and left an indelible mark on the OTT space.

1. Ali Fazal – Mirzapur

Ali’s transformation into Guddu Pandit – from a relatively polished actor to a rugged, muscular crime figure – became symbolic of Mirzapur’s raw aesthetic. He bulked up physically and adopted a grounded, gritty presence that matched the lawless Purvanchal setting.

2. Pankaj Tripathi – Mirzapur

Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya is iconic for its understated menace – a seasoned don whose calm demeanour and rugged, weathered look helped define the outlaw kingpin aesthetic on Indian OTT.

3. Kranti Prakash Jha – Raktanchal

In Raktanchal, Kranti Prakash Jha channels the bleak, violent underbelly of 1980s Purvanchal with a lanky, relentless gang leader persona – combining raw physicality with a harsh, survivalist ruggedness.

4. Sikander Kher – Aarya

Though not a traditional “gangster” look, Sikander Kher’s portrayal of Daulat in Aarya brought a hardened, loyal enforcer vibe to the crime-drama. His grounded performance and intense presence contributed to the show’s gritty, familial underworld tone.

5. Saqib Saleem – Rangbaaz

Saqib Saleem was praised for embodying a rugged, ’90s UP criminal with striking authenticity – from gaining weight and mastering dialect to carrying the menace of a regional gang lord with a memorable moustache-and-gun avatar.

6. Mohit Raina – Bhaukaal

In Bhaukaal, Mohit Raina’s tough cop look is rugged in a law-and-order sense – gritty uniforms, intense combat scenes and an unwavering stare made his SSP Naveen Sikhera a stark contrast to the criminality around him, embodying rugged determination.

7. Jimmy Shergill – Rangbaaz

Jimmy Shergill stepped into the Rangbaaz universe with a gritty, grounded gangster persona. His performance embraced rustic brutality and a hardened look that blended street-smart machismo with raw elder-gangster stature.