15 Reel Couples We Absolutely Loved Despite The Gap In Their Ages

Isha Sharma
Isha Sharma
Updated on Jun 06, 2015, 14:30 IST-7.9 K Shares
Amitabh Tabu

In a recent interview, Big B revealed that he is jealous of actors who are making it big in Bollywood right now only for the fact that he doesn't get to romance on screen anymore. In addition to that, he said “Yes, I am envious and sad that I am not young enough to play the leading roles with girls like Deepika, Kangana, Vidya (Balan), Alia (Bhatt), etc.’He also agrees with the fact that when it comes to love, age is never a barrier. And we remember that Big B was one actor who did go out of his way, and did Nishabd opposite Jiah Khan, who was only 18 then. The film did not do well at the box office but it paved the way for actors who were willing to experiment. Bollywood actors have never shied away from on-screen romance, even if it meant romancing another person half their age. Despite the age gap, we've seen some of the most successful films with casts that have appeared odd initially, but have effortlessly gone on to win hearts. Here are 15 on-screen pairs who proved that romance functions on the principle of age-no-bar! 

1. Akshaye Khanna & Dimple Kapadia in Dil Chahta Hai

Dil chahta Hai

Who could have thought a film could have Dimple Kapadia and Akshaye Khanna star opposite each other, portraying each other's love interests? It was Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut DCH that made us love the odd relationship that blossomed between an artist and a divorced mother. The romance between them was subtle and in perfect proportion.

2. Naseeruddin Shah & Vidya Balan in Ishqiya & The Dirty Picture

Naseeruddin Shah

In both The Dirty Picture or Ishqiya, this duo has proved that despite a huge gap, one can do full justice to the script and entertain an audience without leaving them startled. Apart from their screen presence and being class-apart actors themselves, film-makers just assume that these two can carry off any aspect of love and romance, in an apt way. 

3. Emraan Hashmi & Tisca Chopra in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji

Tisca Emraan

Madhur Bhandarkar's unusual tale of romance and bromance in the film made it a one-of-a-kind film spoofing modern day relationships. The movie had Emraan Hashmi and Tisca Chopra romancing, and in no way did it look odd or unusual. The kind of ease that we saw between the two was definitely the reason we never found it hard to digest their infatuation for each other.

4. Salman Khan & Sneha Ullal in Lucky: No time for love

Salman Sneha

When a 40-year-old Salman Khan romanced an 18-year-old Sneha Ullal in the film 'Lucky: No Time For Love', critics had a lot to say. However, despite the film bombing at the box-office, the romance between the duo was adorable, and the romantic numbers between both became an instant hit. 

5. Randeep Hooda & Alia Bhatt in Highway 

Highway

Imtiaz Ali's latest film Highway had an unusual chemistry that brewed between Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda) and Veera Tripathi (Alia Bhatt). Mahabir, who was portrayed as a heartless kidnapper, transforms into an individual who realises his affection for Veera in the course of their unexpected journey. The kind of affection that grows between them is subtle yet intriguing. Alia Bhatt was 21 and Randeep Hooda was 37! Yes, we never sensed the age gap, did we? :) 

6. Saif Ali Khan & Diana Penty in Cocktail

Saif Diana

A 41-year-old Saif was seen romancing a 26-year-old Diana Penty in Homi Adajania's Cocktail. The chemistry between this on-screen couple was well received by the audience. Saif is one actor who clearly proves that he can carry off a romantic role with utmost ease, even after touching 40. 

7. Shahrukh Khan & Deepika Padukone in Om Shaanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year 

SRK

Deepika Padukone is one of those lucky actresses who entered Bollywood with King Khan. When Farah Khan made a 21-year-old newbie Deepika Padukone romance SRK, little did anyone know that the couple would become such an instant hit among both the audience and filmmakers. They were cast again in films like Chennai Express and Happy New Year. All three films went on to become the biggest hits ever and broke all box office records! 

8. Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma in PK 

Anushka Amir

They didn't have a happy ending the film PK because alien Aamir had to return to his planet. But they certainly looked cute together! 

9. Priyanka Chopra & Vivaan Shah in 7 Khoon Maaf 

7 Khoon Maaf

A 21-year-old Vivaan Shah was cast opposite Priyanka Chopra in Vishal Bhardwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf. The kiddo looked so convincing on-screen that his presence certainly didn't let us forget him. 

10. Farhan Akhtar & Deepika Padukone in Karthik Calling Karthik 

DP

Another on-screen couple we definitely won't mind watching again despite their age difference is Deepika Padukone and Farhan Akhtar. The duo was seen together in Kartik Calling Kartik and no matter how the film fared, these two definitely sizzled on the big screen. 

11. Irrfan Khan & Deepika Padukone in Piku 

Deepika Irrfan

'A lot like love' kinda love was perfectly portrayed on the big screen by Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone in their latest hit Piku. Not for a second would you question the love that grows between the couple during the course of the film. 

12. Amitabh Bachchan & Tabu in Cheeni Kum

Tabu

When Buddhadev (Amitabh Bachchan), a 64-year-old chef and owner of London's top Indian restaurant, fell in love with a 34-year-old Nina Verma (Tabu) in the film Cheeni Kum, it did not look like forced sweetness stuffed down our throats. Both were convincing in their roles, and how.

13. Madhuri Dixit & Naseeruddin Shah in Dedh Ishqiya 

Dedh ishqiya

When ace actors of Bollywood like Madhuri Dixit and Naseeruddin Shah were romantically cast opposite each other in the film Dedh Ishqiya, they ended up looking absolutely stunning together. Who cares about the age gap anyway?

14. Akshay Kumar & Sonakshi Sinha in Rowdy Rathore

Akshay

When action king Akshay Kumar was asked about his take on older actors romancing younger actresses, the actor said, “The idea is to make it all seem convincing. I don’t see what age has got to do with it, as long as you are fit!" He definitely stood by what he said and his journey in Bollywood often had him, romancing actresses like Sonakshi who were way younger than him. Akshay and Sonakshi became an instant hit and they went on to do three films together.

15. Shahrukh Khan & Anushka Sharma in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi & Jab Tak Hai Jaan 

RNJBDJ

Another actress who got the luxury of debuting in Bollywood with King Khan was Anushka Sharma. From Aditya Chopra's RNBDJ to Jab Tak Hai Jaan, according to Anushka Sharma, 'Shahrukh is still very delicious!'. We have loved them together and we won't mind seeing them romance once again!