For decades, discussions about age representation in Indian cinema have often highlighted the contrasting career trajectories of male and female actors. While leading men frequently continue playing romantic heroes well into their later years, actresses are sometimes cast in parental roles despite relatively small age differences with their on-screen children.
Several recent films have reignited conversations around casting choices, with audiences noticing actresses portraying mothers to actors who are only a few years younger than them.
Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about examples.
Mouni Roy and Varun Dhawan — Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
One of the latest examples comes from David Dhawan’s comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
In the film, Varun Dhawan’s character introduces Mouni Roy as his mother as part of a comic setup. While the storyline intentionally uses the casting for humor, viewers were quick to notice that Mouni Roy is only about a year older than Varun Dhawan.
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The unusual pairing sparked significant discussion on social media following the film’s promotional campaign.
Age Difference:
- Varun Dhawan: 39
- Mouni Roy: 40
- Gap: 1 year
Bhagyashree and Riteish Deshmukh — Raja Shivaji
The historical Marathi blockbuster Raja Shivaji generated praise for its performances and box office success, but one casting choice drew particular attention.
Bhagyashree portrayed Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, played by Riteish Deshmukh. While both actors delivered acclaimed performances, audiences noted the relatively narrow age gap between them.
Age Difference:
- Riteish Deshmukh: 47
- Bhagyashree: 57
- Gap: 10 years
Madhurjeet Sarghi and Ranveer Singh — Dhurandhar: The Revenge
The sequel to Dhurandhar explored the origins of Ranveer Singh’s character and introduced several new faces.
Among them was Prabneet Kaur Rangi, the protagonist’s mother, portrayed by Madhurjeet Sarghi. Despite convincingly portraying the maternal role on screen, the actress is only a few years older than Ranveer Singh in real life.
Age Difference:
- Ranveer Singh: 40
- Madhurjeet Sarghi: 44
- Gap: 4 years
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Monika Panwar and Aaishvary Thackeray — Nishaanchi
Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama Nishaanchi featured Monika Panwar in a challenging role that required her character to age across multiple decades.
The actress played the mother of twin brothers portrayed by Aaishvary Thackeray. While makeup and storytelling bridged the generational gap on screen, the actual age difference between the actors remained relatively small.
Age Difference:
- Aaishvary Thackeray: 24
- Monika Panwar: 31
- Gap: 7 years
Indira Krishnan and Ranbir Kapoor — Ramayana
One of the most anticipated films of 2026, Ramayana, features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama.
Veteran actress Indira Krishnan has been cast as Queen Kausalya, Rama’s mother. Although the age difference is larger than some other examples on this list, it still attracted attention among movie enthusiasts discussing casting choices.
Age Difference:
- Ranbir Kapoor: 43
- Indira Krishnan: 55
- Gap: 12 years
Why These Castings Spark Debate
The discussion around such casting decisions often extends beyond numbers. Critics argue that actresses are frequently transitioned into maternal roles earlier than their male counterparts, reflecting long-standing industry trends.
Supporters, however, point out that acting is ultimately about performance, character portrayal and storytelling rather than real-life age alone. Makeup, styling, writing and screen presence often help actors convincingly portray characters much older or younger than themselves.
As Indian cinema continues evolving, conversations about age representation, gender dynamics and casting choices remain an important part of the industry’s ongoing transformation.
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