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The age gap between actors and actresses has emerged as one of the most debated topics among film audiences in recent times. In the early decades of cinema, especially during the early 20th century, significant age differences between leading men and women were widely accepted. Actresses were often much younger than their male counterparts, and such casting choices rarely faced criticism due to the social norms and cinematic conventions of that era.

However, audience sensibilities have evolved over time. With changing mindsets and greater awareness, large age gaps in on-screen pairings—particularly involving senior stars and much younger actresses—have begun to draw criticism from certain sections of viewers, who find such combinations unrelatable or visually unappealing. Within the film industry itself, opinions remain divided. While some artistes view casting purely as a professional decision driven by storytelling, others have openly expressed discomfort with pronounced age differences.

Kannada actress Ashika Ranganath, who is steadily making her mark in Telugu cinema, recently addressed this issue. Ashika has shared screen space with senior stars like Kalyan Ram, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, and Ravi Teja—actors significantly older than her. Her upcoming Telugu film Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, which stars Ravi Teja, brought the topic back into discussion during a press meet held on Saturday.

Responding to a question on age-gap criticism, Ashika shared her perspective, stating that she approaches her work purely from an actor’s point of view. She emphasized her focus on versatility rather than the age of her co-stars. According to her, while she portrayed a young and modern character in Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, her role in Naa Saami Ranga alongside Nagarjuna demanded a more mature portrayal. Ashika stressed that her primary concern is how well a character fits her and how effectively she can contribute to the story, irrespective of whether the film stars a young or senior hero.

Actress Dimple Hayathi, who was also present at the event, echoed similar sentiments. She stated that age differences do not influence her choices, adding that working with experienced actors offers valuable learning opportunities. Such views are not new in the industry. Several actresses have previously expressed comparable opinions, emphasizing performance and storytelling over age considerations. More recently, actor Karthi, who was paired with Kriti Shetty in Vaa Vaathiyaar, also remarked that he prioritizes characters and narrative depth rather than age while selecting his roles.