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Is There an Age Limit to Hero-giri?

Is There an Age Limit to Hero-giri?

Miss R.
Salman Khan (looking awfully cute in his specs, no?)

Hi MissMalini Peeps,

It was reported late last year that Akshay Kumar would quit action movies in five years (when he’d be 49). Whether it is true or not, it did make me think about the current top actors in Bollywood, as the three Khans of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan are all 46.

Anushka Sharma and Shah Rukh Khan

We all know the unfair age advantage in Bollywood. Actresses usually bow out of the limelight in their 30’s, while their male counterparts still have much success. But, I’m getting a little tired of it. I mean, Shah Rukh Khan is co-starring in Yash Raj Films‘ next  production with Katrina Kaif (who is 19 years younger) and Anushka Sharma (who is half his age). While some may argue that Aishwarya Rai is an exception to the rule, there’s no way she’d be paired opposite a younger actor, like Rajat Barmecha, onscreen.

3 Idiots

But as the top actors in the industry reach 50, are they going to step into more age-appropriate roles? I think Aamir Khan would have the easiest transition. Yes, he did play a college student in 3 Idiots. However, his role in Dhobi Ghat was much more age appropriate. With regards to Salman Khan, I really think his career will follow Rajnikanth‘s. He knows what the audience wants, and had targeted his recent films (Dabangg, Bodyguard and Ready) to that niche. As for Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, I really hope they go for more critical roles. Shah Rukh Khan was awesome in Chak De!, I wish he chooses more such unique roles.

What do you think, MissMalini readers?