Salman Khan Faces the Age Gap Debate Head-On
The Bollywood grapevine hasn’t stopped buzzing since the trailer of Salman Khan’s new film, Sikandar, dropped and fans noticed a glaring 31-year age difference between Khan and his leading lady, Rashmika Mandanna. The two stars—Salman at 59 and Rashmika at 28—share center stage in this action-packed project. At the film’s trailer launch in Mumbai on March 24, questions about their on-screen pairing practically stole the spotlight from the movie itself. But Salman, never one to shy away from controversy, tackled the criticism with his trademark humor and blunt honesty.
Reporters didn’t mince words, and neither did Salman. When someone asked if such a big age gap is fair in 2025, he quipped, “If the heroine isn’t bothered, why should anyone else have a problem?” With the cameras rolling, he took things even further, joking, “If Rashmika’s daughter joins the industry later, I’ll act with her too—as long as her mother permits.” The comment got the crowd laughing, showing that he’s not just aware of the chatter but is completely unfazed by it.
Stars and Public Weigh In on the On-Screen Pairing
Salman didn’t only joke his way through the criticism; he explained his stance as well. For him, acting is about chemistry and talent—not numbers. “You have to convince the audience, that’s our job. Why does age matter if the partnership looks good on screen?” he asked. He also mentioned the stress that comes with being under constant scrutiny. “We work hard to maintain our appearance, and honestly, the camera doesn’t lie in today’s social media age. It all comes down to how well you fit your role.”
Backing him up from the wings was Ameesha Patel, the actress who starred opposite Sunny Deol in the blockbuster Gadar, despite their own 20-year age difference. Ameesha pointed to the huge public love for her pairing with Deol and said, “A hit jodi just works. Audiences don’t care about ages when there’s chemistry. Isn’t it all about believing the story?” Her words rang true for anyone who remembers film classics where older heroes romanced much younger heroines, something Bollywood has rarely shied away from.
There’s another angle here, too. The industry is slowly beginning to talk more openly about age differences and representation, but there’s still a huge gap between offscreen chatter and what shows up in scripts. While some viewers crave more diversity—older actresses, younger male leads, or just age-appropriate pairs—box office returns keep star pairings like Salman and Rashmika’s alive. The debate centers on whether art should imitate life or simply entertain. It’s not just about ages; it’s about the magic, the story, and, as the stars keep repeating, the chemistry.
Sikandar, directed by South Indian hitmaker AR Murugadoss, isn’t banking on controversy alone. The film boasts an ensemble including Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and legendary actor Sathyaraj. With a cast that bridges generations, the movie aims for wide appeal when it hits screens on March 30, 2025. However, no one is pretending the age gap chatter is going to die down soon—especially with Salman in the lead.
In the end, the answer from Salman—and much of Bollywood—seems clear: audiences will decide what works. If the pairing feels real on screen and the movie delivers, age, as they say, might be just a number after all.