Traditionally, Bollywood has seen older heroes cast opposite younger heroines. Even today, stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn are inadvertently paired with actresses who are much younger than they are. But this year, the trend seems to be turning around.

In 2013, a number of B-Town beauties including Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Vidya Balan will be working with male actors, who are years younger than they are. “Older heroes are usually paired with younger heroines because that gives the film a fresh appeal. But if filmmakers are trying out different pairings, it’s a great sign,” says Taran Adarsh, trade analyst.





Priyanka Chopra (30) and Arjun Kapoor (27), Ranveer Singh (27)
Film: Gunday
Ali Abbas Zafar’s film, which is currently being shot, will bring together these actors for the first time. While Katrina Kaif’s name was also in the offing for the role of the female lead, it was Priyanka, who eventually bagged the part. In the film, Ranveer and Arjun play gangsters based out of Kolkata in the ’70s. 

Madhuri Dixit (45) and Arshad Warsi (44)
Film: Dedh Ishqiya
Madhuri will replace Vidya Balan (who starred in the first part) in Abhishek Chaubey’s sequel to his 2010 hit, Ishqiya. Until a few days ago, Kangna Ranaut was also supposed to star in the Vishal Bhardwaj production, but she backed out citing date issues.

Lara Dutta (34) and Neil Nitin Mukesh (30)
Film: David
Bejoy Nambiar’s action-thriller will bring Neil and Lara together onscreen. Tabu also stars in the movie that revolves around the lives of three different men who are all named David. This will be Lara’s first major release after she became a mother.

Vidya Balan (35) and Emraan Hashmi (33)
Film: Ghanchakkar
The duo was last spotted in The Dirty Picture (2011). Their next, which has been directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, is apparently a comic thriller. Apparently, the makers are also planning to release a video game based on the film. This will be Vidya’s first release after her wedding.




Kareena Kapoor (32) and Imran Khan (29)
Film: Punit Malhotra’s yet-untitled next
They worked together in last year’s romantic comedy, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, which proved to be a success at the box office. Probably that’s why the same banner — Dharma Productions — has decided to cast them again. The film goes on the floors later this month.