Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has once again become the centre of attention — but this time not for his performance, but due to a scene in his upcoming film ‘Dhurandhar’, where he is seen romancing Sara Arjun, who is 20 years old. The actor, who recently turned 40, is facing heavy criticism for the noticeable age gap between him and his on-screen partner. Let’s take a closer look at the issue that has sparked conversations across social media.
Ranveer Singh Shares Teaser of ‘Dhurandhar’
On July 6, 2025, Ranveer Singh dropped the teaser of his upcoming action-drama film ‘Dhurandhar’. The film boasts a powerful star cast including R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna. While the teaser was appreciated for its action, visuals, and background music, one romantic scene between Ranveer and Sara Arjun grabbed unwanted attention. The reason? A significant 20-year age difference between the lead pair.
Netizens React Strongly to the Age Gap
Soon after the teaser went live, social media platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) saw users discussing the pairing. While some praised the movie’s look and feel, many criticized the romantic angle between a 40-year-old actor and a 20-year-old actress.
Some comments included:
- “She looks like his niece, not his love interest.”
- “This casting doesn’t feel right. The age gap is too visible.”
- “She’s been a child artist for years, and now suddenly she’s a romantic lead opposite Ranveer?”
These reactions are a reflection of a larger concern — the normalization of casting much younger actresses opposite older male actors in Indian cinema.
Ranveer Singh’s Instagram Move Before Teaser Launch
Interestingly, just before his birthday on July 6, Ranveer deleted all his posts from Instagram, creating buzz online. While some fans thought it was a rebranding or a break, it was later revealed to be a promotional stunt for ‘Dhurandhar’. The move generated curiosity, but the teaser release brought mixed reactions due to the age-gap controversy.
Not the First Time Bollywood Faced This Criticism
This is not a new trend in Indian cinema. Earlier in 2025, Salman Khan (aged 58) was slammed for romancing Rashmika Mandanna (aged 27) in the film Sikandar, creating a 31-year gap. Similarly, Kamal Haasan (70) was paired with Trisha Krishnan (42) in Thug Life, which also drew backlash.
Audiences are increasingly calling out such age-inappropriate pairings and asking filmmakers to show more realistic and balanced casting.
Changing Audience Expectations
Today’s viewers are smarter and more vocal. They want fresh and believable pairings, and are rejecting outdated casting practices. While age-gap relationships exist in real life too, repeatedly showing older men with very young women in romantic roles feels forced and uncomfortable to many.
Also, young actresses often start their careers early, and pairing them with actors twice their age may send the wrong message, especially when the reverse rarely happens in films.
Conclusion
Ranveer Singh’s pairing with Sara Arjun in ‘Dhurandhar’ has reopened the age-gap debate in Bollywood. While the movie may still do well due to its strong cast and action-packed storyline, the choice of lead pair has definitely upset many viewers. It’s time Bollywood takes this feedback seriously and moves towards more realistic and respectful casting choices that reflect modern society better.
FAQs
Q1. What is the age gap between Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun in ‘Dhurandhar’?
Ranveer Singh is 40, and Sara Arjun is 20 — a 20-year age difference.
Q2. Why are people upset with the teaser of ‘Dhurandhar’?
Many viewers are uncomfortable seeing such a young actress paired romantically with a much older actor.
Q3. Is ‘Dhurandhar’ a romantic movie?
It is an action drama, but it includes romantic scenes, which sparked the debate.
Q4. Has Bollywood faced similar backlash before?
Yes, actors like Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan were also criticized in 2025 for similar age-gap pairings in their films.
Q5. When will ‘Dhurandhar’ release?
The movie is scheduled to release on December 5, 2025.