Balakrishna pairs with Samyuktha Menon; age-gap debate reignites

The recurring discussion over the significant age gap between Tollywood heroes and their much younger heroines has resurfaced once again on social media. For years, senior stars such as Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Venkatesh, and Ravi Teja have been under scrutiny for being paired with actresses young enough to be their daughters. With commercial entertainers frequently showcasing such combinations, netizens have consistently voiced their concerns over what they consider “miscasting.”

The debate has intensified ahead of the release of the second single from Nandamuri Balakrishna’s highly anticipated Akhanda 2. The makers recently unveiled a new poster featuring the 65-year-old actor alongside 30-year-old Samyuktha Menon, who appears in a glamorous avatar. The stark age difference between the lead pair has become a talking point once again, sparking mixed reactions online.

Several social media users, including fans of the actors, have expressed discomfort, arguing that such pairings feel unnatural and outdated. Critics point out that many of these actresses are closer in age to the heroes’ children, urging filmmakers to break away from this long-standing tradition. Similar debates erupted previously when actors like Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja, and Venkatesh faced backlash over their on-screen pairings.

Despite heated online criticism, the trend continues in mainstream cinema, primarily because the general audience beyond social media seems more focused on the entertainment value than the age disparity. As long as the content works at the box office, filmmakers show little hesitation in proceeding with such casting choices. This isn’t the first time Balakrishna has faced comments about romancing much younger actresses.