Five women blind-test five iconic fragrances of our time. The men they imagine them wearing range from Ranbir Kapoor to Ryan Gosling.
Our Panellists
Surabhi Subramonian, 26, Actor
Zohra Malik, 25, Writer
Juie Divecha, 28, Writer
Sejal Shrotri, 27, Marketing manager
Asimah Mirza, 24, Tattoo artist
Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani
Surabhi
He’s mature, well groomed beard, entrepreneur, knows what he is doing, in power, no-nonsense guy, has a sense of humour and is witty, wellbuilt.
Celebrity: FARHAN AKHTAR
Zohra
Mature, moustachioed, goes to the Press Club for drinks, only drinks single malts, doesn’t talk a lot, is aloof.
Celebrity: MANOJ BAJPAI
***
Juie
Senior level management, well-dressed, fit, polished shoes, clean shaven, intimidating, authoritative.
Celebrity: RAJEEV KHANDELWAL
***
Sejal
This guy is a gym buff who uses a lot of perfume. He’s young and puts himself out there with ease.
Celebrity: JOHN ABRAHAM
***
Asimah
When I smell this perfume, I think of an older man — someone who is comfortable, confident and doesn’t experiment.
Celebrity: BOMAN IRANI
Azzaro Chrome
Surabhi
Older man, you wear something like this to family functions, predictable, doesn’t have any vices, or compensates with enough temple visits.
Celebrity: ABHISHEK BACHCHAN
***
Zohra
Boring, conventional, pleasant, something familiar, comfortable, he wants a relationship but doesn’t think he deserves one.
Celebrity: RANBIR KAPOOR
***
Juie
Floral, metrosexual, likely to wear bold prints, loafers and boat shoes, khaki shorts, wannabe hipster.
Celebrity: VARUN DHAWAN
***
Sejal
This one is all about the boy next door.
Celebrity: FAWAD KHAN
***
Asimah
This smells like someone on holiday. It’s a “good time” smell.
Celebrity: VARUN DHAWAN
Dolce & Gabbana
Surabhi
Turn off, over confident, boisterous, loud, drives around in loud cars, gets into brawls, opinionated, not necessarily right, You know he is bad for you, but you still want to fuck him.
Celebrity: RANVIR SHOREY
***
Zohra
Smells like a human body, overwhelming, doesn’t know what works on women, no sense of aesthetics, judgmental.
Celebrity: MILIND SOMAN
***
Juie
Does well in life, suited-booted, dresses well, speaks well, well read, well travelled.
Celebrity: AMITABH BACHCHAN
***
Sejal
I associate this with a 40+ man – a father.
Celebrity: MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
***
Asimah
I get hints of cinnamon. I’d associate this scent with a metrosexual, well-groomed guy.
Celebrity: KARAN JOHAR
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme
Surabhi
Carefree, flirtatious, looking to pick up women, confident and very self-assured, thinks he has game and knows what he is doing, has a rich dad and old money and spends a lot of it.
Celebrity: RANVEER SINGH
***
Zohra
Early 30s, chocolate boy, clean shaven with the fuck boy haircut.
Celebrity: VARUN DHAWAN
***
Juie
Annoying guy at the club, wears too much perfume, flashy clothes, a bad fashion sense, gets too close for comfort.
Celebrity: TIGER SHROFF
***
Sejal
This smells like a down-toearth guy. The perfume has nice, subtle notes.
Celebrity: RYAN GOSLING
***
Asimah
It smells like a guy with broad shoulders – someone masculine, who works out. He’s the guy who will wear a dinner jacket on every date.
Celebrity: SANJAY DUTT
Eternity for men
Surabhi
Sunday brunch, fresh, makes good conversation, dresses well, wears glasses, charming, sweet, he is the guy you want to date.
Celebrity: FAWAD KHAN
***
Zohra
This guy actually concentrates on grooming himself, has great energy, dresses well, wears pretentious glasses but with such ease that you don’t think he is a douche bag. When he talks to you, he is actually listening to you and gives you all his attention.
Celebrity: FAWAD KHAN
***
Juie
Dad-like, 50+, retired professional, wears polo tees, sandals with socks, plays golf.
Celebrity: RAJAT KAPOOR
***
Sejal
I’d like my man to smell like this on our wedding day. It’s a lingering fragrance.
Celebrity: RANBIR KAPOOR
***
Asimah
I like this guy. He’s in his early 20s, sticks to T-shirts and his idea of fun is playing video games while his girlfriend watches from the couch.
Celebrity: ARYAN KHAN
