A debate on Bollywood's age-old casting norms

The casting of Salman Khan, 58, opposite Rashmika Mandanna, 27, in the upcoming film Sikandar has reignited discussions about the significant age gap between lead actors in Bollywood romances. While such pairings have long been a part of the industry, they continue to draw varied reactions from audiences and industry insiders alike.
Bollywood has a history of casting older male actors alongside significantly younger female leads. This trend is evident in numerous films where veteran actors continue to portray romantic leads opposite newcomers. For instance, Urvashi Rautela debuted at 19 alongside Sunny Deol, who was 38 years her senior. Reflecting on this, Rautela remarked, "We had a 38-year age gap. I was younger than his sons... But if the director thinks there’s no problem, it’s okay."
Aruna Irani, who recently got injured in Bangkok, is now all hale and hearty and was pleased to share her views on the age gap issues between actors. She shared exclusively with ETimes, "It existed since I was young and may be even before that. There were actors like Rajendra Kumar and Dev Anand who were in their 50s and 60s and romanced an 18-year-old actress, and that was absolutely fine because, after all, the actors matter, and everyone likes to work with a big star, and there is nothing like an older actor romancing a younger actress; it's all work after all. Fans and social media can comment on whether they liked a film or not, but they have no right to talk about the pairings.

Dev Anand & Rajendra Kumar Pairings:

While some defend these casting choices as creative decisions, others see them as a reflection of Bollywood’s gender biases. Veteran actress Ratna Pathak Shah criticized the industry’s tendency to pair older male actors with young female leads, calling it "embarrassing." In an interview with Hindustan Times. Similarly, Isha Koppikar admitted to feeling uncomfortable when cast opposite much older male actors. "You do feel uncomfortable when you work with someone 30 or 20 years older than you. I felt uneasy while working with elderly heroes. It doesn’t feel like you're hugging a partner or lover; instead, it feels like you're hugging your father. I used to experience that. Back then, I was new and thought this was the norm. As an actor, you focus on your part and try to forget their age, but the discomfort remains," Koppikar shared.

Salman Khan's Perspective
Salman Khan, however, sees no issue with such pairings. Addressing the controversy surrounding Sikandar, he responded candidly: "They say there is a 31-year difference between the heroine and me. If the heroine doesn’t have a problem, or if the heroine’s father doesn’t have a problem, then why do you have a problem?" He further added, "And when she (Rashmika) gets married and has a daughter, and if her daughter becomes a big star, then I will work with her too—with her mother’s permission, of course."

Reversing the Trend: Younger Male, Older Female
While less common, there have been instances where younger male actors have been paired with older female leads. Telugu cinema, for instance, has seen actresses like Bhumika Chawla and Anushka Shetty cast opposite younger male actors, challenging conventional norms of on-screen pairings. Bollywood has also had its share, with actresses like Neena Gupta and Dia Mirza taking on roles where they were romantically linked with younger male actors.
Advocates for such casting choices argue that the narrative dictates the pairing. The key question remains: does the storyline necessitate such an age-disparate romance, or is it simply a reflection of entrenched industry biases?
The debate over age gaps in Bollywood romances is complex, blending artistic choices with societal perceptions. While the industry has witnessed both traditional and unconventional pairings, the way audiences perceive these choices continues to evolve.