Photo Source : bollywoodhungama.com
In the world of Bollywood, where love stories dominate the silver screen, age differences between co-stars are nothing new. However, they often raise eyebrows—especially when the gap becomes visibly wide. The latest film drawing attention to this pattern is Dhurandhar, where Ranveer Singh (40) stars opposite Sara Arjun (20), a former child artist. Their 20-year age difference has sparked fresh debates among moviegoers and fans.
A History of Big Age Gaps
Bollywood has long featured older male leads paired with much younger actresses. Whether it was Shah Rukh Khan romancing Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om or Amitabh Bachchan playing Tabu’s love interest in Cheeni Kum, such pairings have often been normalized. Yet, public reception has varied based on how naturally the story handled these relationships.
In Om Shanti Om (2007), Shah Rukh was 42 while Deepika was only 21 — a 21-year age gap. Similarly, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) had Shah Rukh (43) paired with debutante Anushka Sharma (20), and Nishabd shocked audiences by pairing a 65-year-old Amitabh Bachchan with 18-year-old Jiah Khan.
Dhurandhar: Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun
In Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar (Uri: The Surgical Strike), Ranveer Singh takes on the role of an intense covert agent. Opposite him is Sara Arjun, a former child actor known for her roles in Deiva Thirumagal, Saivam, and Ponniyin Selvan. This marks her first major Bollywood lead role at age 20.
The 20-year age gap has immediately caught the attention of social media. While the film’s teaser suggests a gritty action-drama, many are speculating about the nature of their on-screen relationship—especially whether it involves romance.
Internet Reaction: Mixed to Divided
The public response has been divided. Some fans are excited about Sara Arjun’s Bollywood debut and fresh pairing with Ranveer Singh. Others, however, have expressed discomfort. Many pointed out that audiences still associate Sara with her child roles, making the leap to a mature romantic lead feel jarring.
Comments like “It gives me an ick” and “She looks too young opposite him” have surfaced, while others defended the casting, saying, “SRK and Deepika had the same age gap, so what’s new?” Some have urged viewers to wait for the film before making judgments.
Why Bollywood Keeps Doing It
The reason for these large age gaps is rooted in industry practices. Male actors often enjoy long stardom well into their 40s and 50s, while female actors are frequently replaced by younger faces. Casting new heroines opposite established male stars helps generate buzz and curiosity. It also fits into traditional storytelling formats where the male lead’s journey takes center stage.
Moreover, these pairings are often less about character chemistry and more about marketing strategies and audience appeal—especially when launching fresh tale
The casting of Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun in Dhurandhar isn’t new for Bollywood, but it has reignited conversations around age-appropriate casting. With a 20-year gap between the leads, the success of this pairing will depend largely on storytelling, performances, and public perception.
As the film gears up for its release on December 5, 2025, all eyes will be on whether Bollywood embraces a new era of storytelling—or continues its old patterns under a new disguise.
