The conversation around age gaps between actors playing romantic leads has been gaining traction lately. It recently came into focus when 20-year-old Sara Arjun was cast opposite 40-year-old Ranveer Singh in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, and when 29-year-old Rashmika Mandanna portrayed the wife of 60-year-old Salman Khan in Sikandar.Now, Akshay Kumar, who will next be seen opposite 32-year-old Wamiqa Gabbi in Bhooth Bangla, has weighed in on the debate. Sharing his perspective in a conversation with News18, Akshay said, “Toh kya hai? Humne pehle dekha nahi hai kya kabhi? It happens in Hollywood as well. Sometimes, it’s the requirement of the script. (In real life too), so many people get married to partners older or younger than them.”Speaking about his co-star Wamiqa, he added, “I first met Wamiqa when we were shooting for Bhooth Bangla. She works very differently. She keeps reading her scenes and rehearsing for them. She gets very serious. Tabu is more serious than her. Vidya Balan, who I’m working with in Anees Bazmee ji’s film, on the other hand, believes in being a free actor.”Director Priyadarshan also addressed the discussion, highlighting the distinction between an actor’s real age and their perceived age on screen. “There’s something that people like MGR and NTR used to say… that there’s a big difference between chronological age and screen age. An actor’s screen age may not be his real age. but people accept you for your screen age too. I don’t see any issue there. When I shoot, I may look at a pair and feel like it isn’t the right pair (and that may have nothing to do with their age gap). When I shoot with Akshay or Tabu, I never feel (an issue) looking at them. And once audiences watch the film, I notice that they don’t feel that issue either. That’s because of their characters and their screen age.”Also featuring Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Tabu, and the late Asrani, Bhooth Bangla is slated to release in theatres on April 10. The film marks Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s reunion after 14 years, following Khatta Meetha (2010). Interestingly, their upcoming horror-comedy also shares a nostalgic link with Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), as both films were shot at the Chomu Palace in Jaipur.
