Akshay Kumar defends age-gap romance with Wamiqa Gabbi in ‘Bhooth Bangla’: 'Humne pehle dekha nahi hai kya?'

The conversation around age-gap romances in Hindi cinema continues to spark debate, especially after discussions on shows like ‘Two Much’, where actors like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan were questioned about older male stars being paired with much younger actresses. While the actors defended the trend as script-driven, critics argued that the industry often avoids directly addressing the imbalance.

According to News18, sharing his perspective, Akshay Kumar addressed the ongoing debate while promoting ‘Bhooth Bangla’, where he stars opposite Wamiqa Gabbi. “Toh kya hai? Humne pehle dekha nahi hai kya kabhi? (So what? Haven’t we seen this before?) 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,” he said, defending such casting choices.

Director Priyadarshan on ‘screen age’ vs real age

Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who is helming ‘Bhooth Bangla’, believes that audiences should view actors through the lens of their characters rather than their actual age. Drawing from legends like MGR and NTR, he explained that there is a distinction between chronological age and “screen age,” and the latter ultimately shapes audience acceptance.

Elaborating further, Priyadarshan noted that his casting decisions are based on how convincing a pair looks on screen rather than their age gap. He shared that while filming with actors like Akshay Kumar or Tabu, he never senses any mismatch. According to him, once audiences engage with the story, such concerns tend to fade, as the characters take precedence over real-life factors.

Akshay Kumar praises co-star Wamiqa Gabbi

Speaking about his experience working on ‘Bhooth Bangla’, Akshay Kumar had high praise for Wamiqa Gabbi’s dedication. “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,” he shared. He also compared her approach to seasoned performers like Tabu and Vidya Balan, noting how each actor brings a unique style to their craft, including in projects like ‘Anees Bazmee’’s upcoming film.

About 'Bhoot Bangla'

The film marks Akshay and Priyadarshan's reunion after over a decade. Bhooth Bangla is presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films. The film stars Akshay along with Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Tabu and Wamiqa in prominent roles. It is slated to release on April 10. After 'Bhoot Bangla', Priyadarshan will direct 'Haiwan'. It stars Akshay Kumar alongside Saif Ali Khan, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar. Akshay also has 'Welcome to the Jungle' and 'Hera Pheri 3' in the pipeline.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”