In the world of Indian cinema, where storytelling often transcends reality, age has rarely been a barrier for on-screen romance. A recent trend, however, has put the spotlight on significant age differences between co-stars playing love interests, sparking widespread debate among audiences and netizens alike.
Netizens Debate Casting Choices
The conversation reignited with the casting of Ranveer Singh opposite Sara Arjun in 'Dhurandhar'. Long before the film's record-breaking box office release, the pairing drew attention due to their 20-year age gap. While initially criticized as part of Bollywood's pattern, the audience's reception post-release softened the discourse.
In contrast, the reunion of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone for 'King' was met with overwhelming positivity. Despite a 21-year age difference, their pairing is a fan favourite, though Padukone's specific role in the upcoming film remains under wraps.
Notable Pairings That Made Headlines
The phenomenon isn't limited to mainstream Bollywood alone. In the digital space, Jaideep Ahlawat (45) and Andrea Kevichüsa (24) portrayed a complex relationship in the latest season of 'The Family Man', a casting choice that notably escaped major controversy.
One of the rare instances featuring an older woman with a younger man came from Mira Nair’s adaptation. Tabu, then 49, and Ishaan Khatter, 24, delivered a critically acclaimed performance in 'A Suitable Boy'. Their 25-year age difference was central to the narrative exploring desire and transgressive love.
When Age Gaps Sparked Criticism
Some pairings have faced more intense scrutiny. In the web series 'The Night Manager', the nearly 35-year gap between Anil Kapoor and Sobhita Dhulipala raised eyebrows, though the show's eventual success quelled most discussions.
The most striking example, however, came from Salman Khan's 'Dabangg 3'. The actor romanced debutante Saiee Manjrekar, who was just 17 during filming. The 36-year age gap was amplified by the fact that Salman was a friend of Saiee's father, director Mahesh Manjrekar. The filmmakers later clarified that the romance scenes featured a younger version of Salman's character.
These casting decisions highlight a long-standing industry comfort with wide age disparities in romantic pairings, often leaning towards older male actors with much younger female co-stars. While audience reactions vary from acceptance to criticism, the trend continues to be a talking point, reflecting evolving societal views on representation and on-screen dynamics in Indian entertainment.
