Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has always been a bankable name in the industry, delivering blockbusters year after year. Over the decades, he has worked with several leading ladies, from Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai to Katrina Kaif and Sonakshi Sinha. However, in recent years, the trend of pairing older male actors with much younger actresses has sparked debates among audiences and critics.
Addressing this ongoing conversation, Salman Khan recently spoke about his experience working with young actresses like Ananya Panday and Janhvi Kapoor, stating that while people discuss the age gap, he plans to continue collaborating with younger co-stars.
In this blog, we will dive deeper into Salman Khan’s statement, the age gap debate in Bollywood, and why this trend continues in the industry.
Salman Khan’s Take on the Age Gap Criticism
In a recent interview, Salman Khan openly discussed the age gap controversy that surrounds his film choices. The actor, who is in his late 50s, has been cast alongside actresses in their early 20s in multiple films, which has led to criticism from certain sections of the audience.
💬 Salman said:
“People talk about the age gap, but I will continue working with young actresses as long as the audience accepts it and the roles demand it.”
This statement highlights the Bollywood formula where established superstars, especially male actors, continue to be cast opposite young female leads. Salman Khan is not the only actor following this trend; other superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Aamir Khan have also been paired with actresses significantly younger than them.
Salman Khan’s Pairings with Young Actresses
Salman Khan has starred opposite several actresses who are two to three decades younger than him. Some of his recent and upcoming pairings include:
✅ Salman Khan & Ananya Panday
🔹 Upcoming project: (Yet to be announced)
🔹 Age gap: 34 years (Salman – 58, Ananya – 24)
Ananya Panday, who made her Bollywood debut in 2019, is one of the youngest actresses Salman Khan will be seen working with.
✅ Salman Khan & Janhvi Kapoor
🔹 Upcoming project: (Yet to be announced)
🔹 Age gap: 33 years (Salman – 58, Janhvi – 25)
Janhvi Kapoor, who has been steadily making a mark in Bollywood, will reportedly share screen space with Salman Khan in an upcoming film.
✅ Salman Khan & Pooja Hegde
🔹 Film: Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023)
🔹 Age gap: 24 years (Salman – 58, Pooja – 34)
✅ Salman Khan & Disha Patani
🔹 Film: Bharat (2019) & Radhe (2021)
🔹 Age gap: 28 years (Salman – 58, Disha – 30)
These pairings continue to spark discussions about the preference for younger female leads in Bollywood.
Why Does Bollywood Cast Older Actors with Younger Actresses?
The trend of pairing older male actors with younger female actresses is nothing new in Bollywood. Several factors contribute to this trend:
🎬 1. Box Office Appeal
Veteran actors like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar have a strong fan base, making them bankable stars. Filmmakers believe that casting them with fresh faces can enhance box office collections.
🎭 2. Industry’s Perception of Female Actors
Bollywood often favors young and fresh female leads over experienced actresses. While male actors continue to get lead roles even in their 50s, female actors often struggle to find substantial roles after a certain age.
🎥 3. Commercial & Glamorous Appeal
Films often rely on the glamour factor, and young actresses bring an element of freshness and visual appeal, making them more suitable for commercial entertainers.
🏆 4. Audience Acceptance
Despite criticism, many films featuring such pairings have been huge hits, proving that a section of the audience does not mind the age gap as long as the chemistry works on screen.
Bollywood’s Age Gap Debate: A Double Standard?
While Bollywood continues to pair older male actors with younger female leads, the reverse is rarely seen. Actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, and Tabu struggle to get lead roles with younger male co-stars.
👉 For instance, when films like Ajeeb Daastaans (2021) and The Lunchbox (2013) showcased older actresses in romantic roles, the industry labeled them as “bold choices”, whereas age-gap pairings with male leads remain normalized.
📢 This raises the question: Should Bollywood rethink its casting norms?
Audience Reactions: Mixed Opinions
Fans and critics have divided opinions on Salman Khan’s comments:
✔ Supporters say: “If actors like Salman can still deliver hits, why should age matter?”
❌ Critics argue: “Bollywood should promote equal opportunities for senior actresses too.”
Many fans believe that the script and chemistry matter more than age, while others feel that Bollywood should start giving leading roles to actresses over 40, just like their male counterparts.
Will This Trend Continue in Bollywood?
With stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan still ruling Bollywood, it is unlikely that this trend will change soon. However, OTT platforms and experimental cinema are slowly challenging the traditional Bollywood casting formula.
Films like Gehraiyaan (2022), Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023), and Jalsa (2022) are proving that women-led stories with age-appropriate casting can also succeed.
📢 If the audience supports such films, Bollywood may start embracing more diverse on-screen pairings in the future.
Conclusion: Salman Khan’s Take & Bollywood’s Casting Future
Salman Khan’s statement on continuing to work with young actresses despite the age gap criticism reflects Bollywood’s longstanding casting trend. While some fans enjoy his films regardless of co-stars, others call for more balanced representation of senior actresses.
🔹 Will Bollywood evolve and change its approach?
🔹 Or will superstars like Salman continue to dominate with younger heroines?
Only time will tell!
📢 What are your thoughts on this trend? Let us know in the comments! 😊