12-Yr Age Gap? Creepy Casting? Audience Say Enough

Romance is back in Bollywood, with Saiyaara and Dhadak 2 reigniting audience interest in heartfelt love stories. Saiyaara, in its second week, has grossed an impressive ₹280 crore, while Dhadak 2, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, has won praise from both audiences and critics.

Next in line is Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, set for release on August 29. While its music and trailer have generated buzz, one aspect is drawing sharp criticism — the 12-year age gap between the lead pair.

After seeing the teaser and the “Pardesiya” music video, many viewers on social media say the chemistry feels forced and unconvincing. They argue that the visible age difference undermines the believability of the romance.

Fans point to Saiyaara as an example of age-appropriate casting done right — a young love story brought to life by actors who were themselves young adults. In contrast, Bollywood’s recurring habit of pairing much older male actors with significantly younger female leads often results in awkward storytelling.

In Param Sundari, this age disparity is noticeable, with Janhvi looking considerably younger than Sidharth. Viewers argue that no amount of styling or makeup can bridge the visual and emotional gap.

The reasons for such casting choices may range from a lack of promising young male leads to the industry’s reluctance to take risks on fresh faces. Regardless, audiences are making their stance clear: they want romantic pairs that feel authentic, both in age and on-screen chemistry.