Can Aamir Khan’s nose stud look work for men in the streets?

Aamir Khan’s new look — rumoured to be part of his getup for his upcoming film, Thugs of Hindostan — gets a thumbs up from style experts who believe that with the right attitude, any man can pull it off.

Actor Aamir Khan’s nose stud — as spotted in a picture shared by actor Sushant Singh Rajput on Instagram on Tuesday — has brought the limelight back on the humble accessory that’s as much for men as it is for women. It’s rumoured that the look is for Aamir’s upcoming film, Thugs of Hindostan.

While actors such as Ranveer Singh and Ayushmann Khurrana have earlier sported the look on magazine covers and at stage performances, Aamir is the biggest Bollywood star to have embraced nose piercing. So it came as no surprise when fans got overwhelmed on seeing the actor’s new look. “Omg, this is Aamir”, posted one Instagram user. “Guess he’s trying out a hipster look,” wrote another.

Actor Ranveer Singh (left) wore a septum ring for the February edition of the L’Officiel magazine cover. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, too, gave the nose ring a try. Last year, ahead of a performance at the Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda Festival 2016, Ayushmann posted the look on Instagram, captioning it: “Are you serious? Nose ring? #piercing”.

The pierced nose look for men went international, too, as British singer Zayn Malik first sported a nose stud in 2015. His look was put on display in a photo shared by Malik’s friend and record producer, Naughty Boy, on Twitter.

Singer Zayn Malik first donned the nose stud after leaving the pop band, One Direction, and ahead of his first solo appearance. (Mark Ralston AFP)

What does the fashion and style frat think of it?

“A nose stud or ring crosses gender boundaries. Don it, if you can slay it with attitude,” says stylist Vikram Seth, adding that it has nothing to do with one’s sexuality. “Whether you are gay, straight or anything [else], it’s all about carrying the trend, a cool look with swag… They (actors) are setting the trends for people and people would love to do it,” he says.

Stylist Gautam Kalra says: “For an actor, a nose ring could go a long way in defining a character. In the real world, if you have the attitude and personality, to pull the look off, why not? It shows individuality. I myself pierced my nose 15 years ago. I go through phases… sometimes I wear a nose ring, sometimes I don’t.”

Designer Amit Talwar got the bridge of his nose pierced two years ago. “Wow”, “This is awesome” are the reactions he got. “It looks so sexy that I forgot the pain as it’s totally worth it. [Contrary to belief] Nose piercing doesn’t make a man look feminine. It’s fashion, and a trend. When women go bald, that’s also a fashion statement! Everybody should have the freedom, in terms of how they want to look,” says Talwar.

Designer Amit Talwar got the bridge of his nose pierced two years ago

Fashion designer Rina Dhaka points out that Indian tribal men have long worn nose studs. “And don’t forget the bull, he wears a nose ring. It’s a perspective, how you look at it. Cinema and art requires one to push the boundaries. And these guys are probably doing that. I’ve seen a lot of guys at fashion week doing it, but I don’t always like it. But that’s my opinion,” she says.

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