After Bollywood, TV Normalising Huge Age-Gap Between Co-Stars? Sharad Kelkar Romances 27-Year Younger Actor In Tum Se Tum Tak

Actor Sharad Kelkar is returning to television after 8 years with the show Tum Se Tum Tak. The first promo is out and already generated buzz for many reasons that are not entirely flattering. The actor is facing huge criticism for playing the role of a 46-year-old man who will fall for a 19-year-old girl, sparking controversy due to their 27-year age gap.

Sharad Kelkar faces flak for new show as he returns on television after 8 years

The promo clip released on social media, introduces Niharika Chouksey's character as a lively 19-year-old from a modest background, with her mother eager to find her an ideal husband. In the show, Sharad Kelkar plays a 46-year-old wealthy businessman who, despite his professional achievements, feels a void in his life due to a lack of love and companionship. When his mother suggests he find a partner, he dismisses the idea.

The promo ends with a scene where Niharika's character gazes in amazement at Sharad’s private helicopter flying overhead. A voice-over hints at romance between the two.

Fans have criticised the show’s storyline, particularly the romantic relationship between the leads, who have a 27-year age difference.

One user commented, "They are showing anything... 19 years and 46 years is a bit too much. Even if they had kept it to 35, it would have been fine. But this pairing has no appeal to me.” Another mocked, “Why is it always the girl who's younger and the boy who's older? It's always the same topic and logic."

The third person said, “This is the age gap between my dad and my elder sister. What the f are they doing? (sic)," said one user, while another exclaimed, “This is beyond disgusting."

Also Read: Betting App Controversy Grows: Prabhas, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Gopichand Booked For Promoting Chinese Gambling Platform

Does Bollywood normalise the age gap in co-stars?

Bollywood films often feature lead actors with notable age gaps, typically ranging from 10 to 20 years. This pattern frequently involves older male actors paired with much younger female leads, reflecting the industry's preference for casting actors who appeal to younger audiences in romantic roles.

For example, Tiku Weds Sheru stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui (47) alongside Avneet Kaur (20). John Abraham who is 49 shared the screen with Disha Patani who is 29 in the 2022 film Ek Villain Returns. Another example is the 2022 historical action drama Samrat Prithviraj, where Akshay Kumar (54) was paired with Manushi Chhillar (24).