Rahul Khanna on the art of the thirst trap

Rahul Khanna has been breaking the internet with his thirst traps. His IG feed is chock-full of pumped-up arms in muscle tees, shirtless selfies taken lounging by a pool, post-shower, or mid-run. But like everything about him, his barely clad photographs are also polished and tasteful—even when he’s in nothing but a towel. “It’s really funny that it gets such a reaction, because what are you seeing in a shirtless selfie? Guys have their shirts off very often. So, to me, it’s a little amusing, and I find it fun to be a little provocative,” he says when I ask him about his much talked about photos over Zoom.

Naturally, each image gets a reaction but Mr Khanna (as he’s known on Instagram) tries not to look at his DMs. “Sometimes, they can get a little weird. But I love it when people are inspired to be witty, cheeky, and creative with their comments. I will often jump in and banter or engage in a pun battle with a playful follower,” he admits.

Mr Classic with a twist

My conversation with the ‘Boutique Bollywood Actor’ starts early in the morning, but Khanna looks dapper as ever in a navy-blue overshirt layered over a white T-shirt. I start simple: How would he describe or interpret his oft-dissected personal style? “It’s just an expression of my personality,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’ve always been a little old-school, so it’s definitely classic.”

While the word ‘classic’ gets thrown around lot, that descriptor seems reductive when you consider the breadth of Khanna’s fashion expression over the years and his willingness to move out of his comfort zone. Earlier this year, the actor was photographed in a wrap skirt by New York-based designer Terry Singh (“I really appreciate his point of view and his craftsmanship”) and a few years ago he happily wore an A-line denim skirt for a Cottons brand campaign. As he said on Pernia Qureshi’s podcast Fashionably Pernia in 2024, “A piece of cloth draped in a certain way shouldn’t define your gender.” He’s not afraid of wearing black nail polish either, though he’s also clear about his boundaries. “I don’t think I could dress like Rick Owens, or someone who is very avant-garde, but I can certainly appreciate it.”

Like any good wardrobe, Khanna’s is built on a foundation of solid staples—a well-made T-shirt, a great shirt, perfectly cut trousers. The designer Rajesh Pratap Singh is a failsafe (“I’ve had Rajesh Pratap shirts for maybe 20 years, and they still seem to get better with age”), along with Raghavendra Rathore for Indianwear, although he’s added bits from Osman Abdul Razak and Antar-Agni by Ujjawal Dubey to his closet recently. “I don’t know if experimental is the right word, but I’m now a little more open to other styles. Osman’s sensibility is classic and international, and the construction of his garments is unmatched. Antar-Agni because he [Dubey] is traditional but with a twist. His attention to detail is fantastic.”

A few days ago, the star gave everyone a peek at his own fashion role models. He posted a clip of the actor Cary Grant from the Hitchcock classic To Catch a Thief (1955) followed by a picture of himself recreating Grant’s look; a polka-dot cravat layered over a round-neck jumper. It was a reminder that in an age of fast-moving trends and algorithm-driven design, there are still those who appreciate a more timeless approach to fashion.

In the same vein, Khanna cites the late designer Jivi Sethi as inspiration—“He was incredibly stylish”—along with the actor Feroz Khan. He described meeting Khan at the airport in Qureshi’s podcast too: “Mr Khan was dressed impeccably—blazer, scarf, monogrammed shoes, and matching bags. In fact, he had a separate shoe bag which came on a conveyor belt, and seeing that was exciting.” For Khanna, it’s not just about the right clothes. “When I admire someone’s style, I don’t just mean their dressing but the way they live, entertain, their manners, the language they use, books they read, the music they listen to. I think all that contributes to their overall sense of style.”

Perfectly aligned

Despite coming off as a clothes horse, Khanna says he dislikes shopping. His formula? Find something you like and buy it in multiple colours, preferably navy, black, white, and grey. “I’m also a bit of a minimalist, so I don’t like too much stuff,” he adds.

On a recent trip to Paris, though, Khanna bought a bolo tie, something he’s never worn before. “It’s almost like a piece of jewellery.” Of late, he’s got his eye on a pair of cufflinks and sherwani buttons from an auction catalogue. “For vintage, I think a great sourcing avenue is your family. I love things with a story.”

This preference to pare things back is evident from his Instagram feed as well—whether it’s his neatly plated breakfasts or gym-essentials posts, everything is always elegantly laid out. There’s nothing extra, no unnecessary colour or piece of lettuce gone awry. Although that’s not to say things are boring, especially on the fashion front. Take his recent appearance at a polo match, where he wore a tailored jacket by Arjun Khanna that had vintage watches as buttons. Or the choice of mixing a Nehru-style suit by Dunhill with a pair of Adidas sneakers. It’s his own take on high-low dressing, but the overall impact is always measured, clean, minimal.

Out-tuxing ’em all

If there’s one item that Khanna keeps coming back to, however, it’s the suit. From award nights to casual days out in New York, the former model and VJ knows the power of a well-fitted jacket and trousers and isn’t afraid to play within those boundaries. Last year he opted for an all-white suit custom-made by Osman Abdul Razak, and a few months before that he channelled his inner Gary Cooper (another American acting legend) in a single-button double-breasted Dior suit for an evening themed around the Roaring Twenties. In his arsenal are pieces from Armani, and one year he even wore a Dior Homme look that was embellished with hundreds of safety pins (“that triggered the metal detectors at the Grand Hyatt!”).

His advice on nailing that perfect fit? Find a good tailor. “Even a garment that’s not expensive or not designer can be made to look elevated if it’s fitted properly to your body,” he adds. And yes, I did ask—and he will be gatekeeping who his tailor is.