The age gap between male leads and their female counterparts has long been a point of contention in Indian cinema. While this trend is not new, recent developments in Telugu and Tamil films have reignited discussions around gender representation, ageism, and evolving audience expectations.
In the Telugu industry, criticism reached a peak during the release of Bholaa Shankar, where a scene between Megastar Chiranjeevi and actress Sreemukhi drew backlash for its perceived inappropriateness given their age difference. A similar reaction followed the release of Mr Bachchan, where romantic dance choreography between Ravi Teja and Bhagyashree Borse raised eyebrows. More recently, Daaku Maharaaj, featuring Balakrishna and Urvashi Rautela, was at the center of online criticism for its song sequences. Salman Khan too faced trolling after he was paired opposite Rashmika Mandanna in the upcoming Hindi film Sikander, highlighting how this debate spans across industries.
The Tamil film industry is also facing scrutiny. The trailer of Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life sparked online debate due to scenes featuring romantic undertones between the veteran actor and actresses significantly younger than him—Abhirami and Trisha, who are approximately 29 and 28 years his junior, respectively. These moments prompted questions about the creative choices made in the film and whether they reflect outdated cinematic norms.
Another flashpoint emerged with the launch of Suriya’s new film, which cast Premalu fame Mamitha Baiju in a significant role. Initial assumptions that she would be paired romantically with Suriya, who is more than two decades her senior, led to criticism on social media. However, reports later clarified that Mamitha’s role is not romantic in nature but remains crucial to the storyline.
Critics argue that if actors like Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja are being called out for such casting decisions, the same standards should apply uniformly to others, including iconic figures like Kamal Haasan and Suriya. They believe this is essential to ensure accountability and foster change in an industry that is slowly, but surely, being held to more progressive standards by its audience.
On the other hand, filmmakers and industry insiders often defend these choices as creative decisions, pointing to the actors’ enduring star power and the flexibility of storytelling in cinema. However, as the audience becomes more vocal and socially aware, the gap between star image and social perception continues to narrow.
The discourse reflects a larger shift in audience sensibilities and an increasing demand for more age-appropriate and realistic portrayals of romance and relationships on screen. It remains to be seen whether this conversation will lead to lasting changes in casting practices, but one thing is clear—viewers are watching more critically than ever before.
