Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has once again found himself in the light of controversies after discussing the possible chances of him having an on-screen romance with a 19-year-old actress- Sara Arjun. The actor didn’t confirm anything yet but sparked some rumors on his upcoming project where we might see him romancing a much younger co-star.
His comments did create a buzz on social media about the portrayal of relationships by Bollywood which is more fascinated by glamour rather than being realistic and societal norms. Bollywood has a long tradition of casting old male lead actors alongside younger leads to make it a hit at the box office. The stardom of the male lead has always justified the casting of actors with such age difference, as they can bring more audience to the theaters as established actors. But, in accordance with the evolving societal norms, we should begin to question if this is appropriate.
Ranveer Singh who is known for his energetic performances, commented on the potential of working with a young actress only if it is backed up by an authentic script. He stated that he would never take such roles until it has a diverse and meaningful script. However, this exception did not save him from the backlash of critics and fans. He was highly criticized by the people on social media. Many people found it so discomforting and triggering that they wrote comments like ” Sharam karle Bhai” on social media. They do have a point to criticize when we look at this as a broader issue of the industry.
The casting of pairs with older male leads and younger female leads promotes an unhealthy dynamic and double standards. How younger women are depicted alongside older males, while older women are not given equal opportunities to work with younger male actors. As a society that idolizes and often worships Bollywood, the inappropriate portrayal of pairings in Bollywood impacts how society perceives relationships.
Comment down if you think the outdated age-gap romance shouldn’t be reinforced in Bollywood movies again and again.
