From Vedang Raina to Agastya Nanda: Seven actors made for campus romances

Campus romances and coming-of-age love stories are finding renewed popularity among young audiences worldwide. From screen hits such as The Summer I Turned Pretty and Maxton Hall to bestselling romance franchises like Off Campus and Heated Rivalry, the genre continues to resonate with viewers and readers alike.
Here are seven young Bollywood actors we would like to see headline a campus or sports romance.

Vedang Raina: Ever since making an impression with The Archies, Vedang Raina has emerged as one of the promising young actors in the industry. His recent performance in Jigra further showcased his ability to handle emotionally demanding material. With his easy screen presence and relatable appeal, Vedang appears well-suited to a sports romance where he could play a young athlete balancing ambition, competition and first love. Whether as a football captain, a swimmer chasing success or a college student navigating relationships, he has the qualities that fit the genre.



Babil Khan: Babil Khan has built a reputation for portraying emotionally layered characters through projects such as Qala, Friday Night Plan, The Railway Men and Logout. The actor is currently expanding his horizons with his Malayalam debut, Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market. While audiences have largely seen him in dramas, a campus romance could offer an opportunity to explore a lighter and more youthful side of his screen persona. His ability to portray vulnerability and self-discovery would lend itself well to a coming-of-age love story.

Mihir Ahuja: Mihir Ahuja has steadily built an impressive filmography with projects including Made In Heaven, The Archies and State of Siege: 26/11. He brings a natural ease to his performances and has a strong boy-next-door appeal. The actor will next be seen portraying a young Indian Air Force officer in Operation Safed Sagar, inspired by the Kargil War. A college romance centred on music, sports and youthful aspirations could be an interesting space for him, particularly given his off-screen passion for music and beatboxing.

Abhay Verma: Following the success of Munjya, Abhay Verma has garnered considerable attention from audiences and filmmakers alike. His performance demonstrated both charm and emotional depth, qualities often associated with successful romantic leads. Whether playing a fiercely competitive athlete or a student navigating personal challenges alongside romance, Abhay's youthful energy makes him a natural fit for the genre.

Adarsh Gourav: Adarsh Gourav may not be the most obvious choice for a conventional campus romance, which is precisely what makes him an interesting one. From The White Tiger to Guns & Gulaabs and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, he has consistently gravitated towards unconventional characters and stories. His upcoming travel-hosting debut, Voices of the Land, also reveals a curious and observant side to his personality. A sports or campus romance centred on ambition, identity and emotional growth could allow Adarsh to bring a fresh perspective to the genre.

Vishal Jethwa: Vishal Jethwa has consistently demonstrated his range through projects such as Mardaani 2, Salaam Venky and Homebound. The actor is currently undergoing a physical transformation for his upcoming project Shakti Shalini, highlighting his commitment to his craft. A sports romance could offer audiences a chance to see him in a different light. His ability to portray emotional complexity would suit a story involving athletic ambition, personal struggles and young love.

Agastya Nanda: Since making his debut in The Archies, Agastya Nanda has continued to build his body of work while developing a distinct screen presence. With his confidence and easy charm, he possesses many of the qualities associated with campus romance protagonists. Stories set in elite universities, competitive sports teams or modern coming-of-age environments would fit naturally within his screen persona, while also allowing him to explore greater emotional depth as a performer.