From Sharad Kelkar and Niharika Chouksey to Ram Kapoor and Prachi Desai; telly couples with a significant age gap paired together in romantic shows

Indian television has often paired actors with noticeable age differences in romantic roles. While some pairings won hearts, others sparked controversy and debate. From Sharad Kelkar and Niharika Chouksey’s 27-year age gap to iconic duos like Ronit Roy and Shweta Tiwari, these on-screen couples continue to challenge norms, stir conversations, and deliver unforgettable chemistry.

In Tumm Se Tumm Tak, Sharad and Niharika’s 28-year age difference became a talking point. The show explores a modern love story, and reacting to the same, she told Times of India TV, “I’ve never felt uncomfortable while doing the romantic scenes with him. My past co-actors have also had at least a 10–15 year age gap. I’ve never done any project with someone of my age.”

In Ufff… Ye Love Hai Mushkil, Shabir and Ashi portray a stormy love-hate relationship. With a 20-year real-life age gap between them, the casting sparked mixed reactions. While some admired the layered story, others felt the pairing felt mismatched due to their visibly different life stages and screen presence.

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai featured Harshad and Pranali as leads despite their 16-year age gap. Surprisingly, the couple won over fans with their on-screen chemistry. Their pairing felt fresh yet emotionally mature, balancing tradition and modern storytelling while navigating complex family dynamics.

In Molkki, Priyal was just 19 and Amar 44 when cast as romantic leads. The show intentionally spotlighted age-gap marriage as a societal issue, blurring lines between fiction and realism. Their 25-year gap aligned with the plot but drew sharp criticism over ethics and casting young female actors in such roles.

Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara tackled the theme of age-gap marriages head-on. With over 20 years between Sanjay and Smriti, their unconventional romance explored emotional maturity, societal judgment, and love beyond numbers. The show received praise for its bold narrative but also criticism for normalising large age disparities in romantic leads.

In Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Ronit Roy’s Mr. Bajaj married Shweta’s Prerna. Despite a 15-year age difference, their pairing became one of television’s most iconic. The relationship dynamic added gravitas to the plot, and audiences eventually accepted the chemistry, aided by Ronit’s powerful screen presence and Shweta’s emotional depth.

Kasamh Se raised eyebrows by casting a 17-year-old Prachi opposite Ram Kapoor, then in his 30s. Though the show gained popularity, it sparked debate on whether the industry should reconsider such casting decisions, especially involving teen actors paired with much older male counterparts in romantic storylines.

In Imlie, the romantic arc between Sumbul and Gashmeer drew attention for its 14-year age difference. While the story explored themes of maturity and emotional growth, critics argued that the age gap was jarring, particularly because Sumbul was still a teenager during the show’s early episodes.

In Sasural Simar Ka, Avika and Manish portrayed an on-screen couple with an 18-year real-life age gap. Though their chemistry was well-received, their age difference became a hot topic online, especially as Avika was still associated with child roles from her earlier career.

Iqbal Khan and Rachana Mistry’s pairing in their show also sparked discussions around age gaps in TV romances. With Iqbal being significantly older, viewers debated whether this trend contributes to problematic portrayals or simply reflects diverse love stories. Their performance, however, received appreciation from loyal fans.