An online poll has rated Bollywood's popular villain and comedian Shakti Kapoor as one of the foremost gay icons in the country.

He has joined the ranks with Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Tamil actor Suriya (of Ghajini and Singham fame), Dhanush (of Kolaveri Di fame) and Arjun Rampal; who ‘literally' got his balls held for four seconds by Shah Rukh Khan in Ra.One.

Kapoor being voted a gay icon is surely amusing. "Shakti Kapoor has always been known as a ladies man, which is also why he was sent into Bigg Boss with twelve women last year," commented Bollywood PR guru Dale Bhagwagar.

"Inspite of being an extremely versatile actor, over the years, Brand Shakti Kapoor has entertained many with formulaic characters, some of which have seemed to poke fun at gay mannerisms too. Who can forget his super-famous goofy Balma act in the immensely successful Sridevi movie ChaalBaaz", the publicist points out.

Of course! And then there was also the infamous sting operation where Kapoor was ‘caught' with a girl (a planted reporter) in a Mumbai hotel. Ah! Those were the days! Now, at 59, being declared a ‘gay icon' is surely coming a long way since then!