Last Updated: July 07, 2025, 13:15 IST

The much-anticipated teaser for Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar has created a buzz across social media platforms since its release. Fans have been particularly enthusiastic about the exciting action sequences presented in the teaser; however, the focal point of discussion seems to be the dynamic romantic pairing of Ranveer Singh with actress Sara Arjun, who is notably 20 years younger than him. This casting choice has ignited a wide range of reactions, leading many to comment on the implications of age gaps in Bollywood romances.

The casting of significantly older male leads opposite younger female co-stars is a recurring trend in Bollywood, and the announcement of this pairing has sparked a heated debate. Critics have pointed out that while such age disparities are not uncommon, they continue to evoke mixed reactions from audiences. For instance, the chemistry between veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan and actress Tabu in the 2007 film Cheeni Kum was widely praised, illustrating a successful age-gap pairing. In that film, their relationship was portrayed with a level of maturity and depth that resonated well with viewers.

In contrast, the 2008 film Money Hai To Honey Hai, starring Govinda, faced significant backlash due to its romantic storyline involving then 16-year-old Hansika Motwani as his love interest. This decision was met with widespread criticism, as many deemed it inappropriate for an adult actor to be romantically linked to a teenager. The film's premise revolved around Govinda’s character, Bobby Arora, who leaves home to find his identity but ends up in a love story with Ashima Kapoor, portrayed by Motwani, a teenage actress disenchanted with the glitz of fame and aspiring for a serious acting career.

Despite the film's ensemble cast, which included popular actors such as Aftab Shivdasani, Celina Jaitley, and Manoj Bajpayee, Money Hai To Honey Hai faltered at the box office. The negative public reaction to the age gap in the romantic pairing significantly tarnished Govinda's public image, overshadowing his achievements. Although he enjoyed a momentary revival with a role in Partner alongside Salman Khan in 2009, the subsequent years proved challenging, with eight of his following films failing to attract audiences. His last known project was Rangeela Raja, released in 2019, marking a significant downturn in his career.

The release of the Dhurandhar teaser has undoubtedly thrown the spotlight back on the conversations surrounding age differences in film casting, with many advocating for more nuanced portrayals that reflect the complexity of relationships, irrespective of age.