Bollywood’s chocolate boy turned veteran, R. Madhavan, is known for his unfiltered honesty, but his latest statement has set off a storm. In a recent interview, the actor admitted that ageing male stars must think twice before choosing their heroines, warning that audiences no longer buy the formula of much older men romancing women young enough to be their daughters. Madhavan bluntly put it, “When there’s too big an age gap, people feel ye picture ke bahaane aish kar raha hai.”
While the remark struck a chord with many who are tired of seeing the same old Bollywood trope, fans were quick to point out an uncomfortable irony, Madhavan himself was recently seen romancing Fatima Sana Shaikh in “Aap Jaisa Koi.” The age gap between the two raised eyebrows even before the film released, and now his candid remarks are being labelled as “preachy” and even “hypocritical” by sections of the audience.
Social media didn’t hold back. Comments like “Practice what you preach, Maddy!” and “So when YOU do it, it’s acting, but when others do it, it’s aish?” flooded X (formerly Twitter). Some argued that while his statement is valid in principle, it feels odd coming from someone who just participated in the same trend he’s now criticizing.
Industry insiders, however, suggest Madhavan’s words might be more of a wake-up call to his peers than a self-congratulatory comment. “Madhavan has always been reflective,” said a casting director. “Maybe working in Aap Jaisa Koi made him realize how delicate the optics are when age gaps become glaring.”
The debate also raises a bigger question, why does Bollywood continue to normalize older men romancing much younger women while refusing to cast older actresses opposite younger men?
Whether Madhavan’s statement will trigger a real shift or remain just another headline-grabbing moment remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, the actor has lit a fire under one of Bollywood’s oldest double standards, even if he himself may be guilty of playing into it.
