Akshay Kumar, 56, Romances 29-Year-Old Radhika Madan On Screen: Examining the Ever-Widening Age Gap
11.07.2024: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, 56, continues to raise eyebrows with his choice of much younger female co-stars. His latest film, Sarfira, a Hindi remake of Suriya’s Soorarai Pottru, pairs him with 29-year-old Radhika Madan, adding another chapter to the ongoing narrative of significant age gaps in his on-screen romances.
Over the years, the growing age difference between Akshay and his leading ladies has sparked numerous discussions. Despite not delivering many memorable films recently, such as Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Selfiee, the actor seems unperturbed by the criticism. This trend highlights the power imbalance in casting, where young actresses are paired with much older male stars, often extending to decades.
In Sarfira, Akshay’s portrayal of a husband to a much younger Radhika Madan underscores this issue. This is not a new pattern for the actor. Before the release of Samrat Prithviraj, an analysis revealed the increasing age gap between Akshay and his female co-stars. For instance, Diana Penty in Selfiee is 18 years younger, and Parineeti Chopra in Mission Raniganj is 21 years younger.
When asked about the age difference, Manushi Chhillar, who has a 29-year age gap with Akshay, candidly admitted that working with him offers significant visibility, a crucial factor for someone starting in the industry. This underscores the limited choices available to young actresses in an industry where male stars in their 50s and 60s dominate leading roles.
Radhika Madan, known for her strong performances in films like Pataakha and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, has taken on the role in Sarfira, despite its seemingly less significant part. This decision reflects the industry’s ageist tendencies, where male stars often overshadow their younger female counterparts.
Interestingly, the narrative sometimes reverses to gaslight the audience. In the 2022 film Cuttputlli, Rakul Preet Singh, who is 23 years younger than Akshay, remarks that his character looks “too young to be a father,” highlighting the absurdity of these casting choices.
Even comedian Kapil Sharma commented on this trend during a recent show, humorously noting Akshay’s evolving list of young co-stars over the years. This comedic take underscores a more significant issue within Bollywood.
Directors and producers, like Sudha Kongara of Soorarai Pottru and Sarfira, play a role in this dynamic. Kongara’s comments about casting Radhika Madan, initially looking too young for the role, reflect the industry’s casual approach to these significant age gaps.
Historically, Bollywood has seen similar trends with stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan, who also romanced much younger actresses. However, just because something has been a norm for decades doesn’t make it right.
Akshay Kumar’s continued choice of much younger female co-stars perpetuates ageism and sexism in Bollywood. If influential actors like Akshay are unwilling to address this issue, it casts a shadow over their contributions to the industry, including their social awareness campaigns.
By acknowledging and challenging these ageist practices, Bollywood can move towards a more equitable and inclusive future, where actors are cast for their talent rather than their ability to fit into outdated norms.