Ashika Opens Up On Age Gap Pairings With Telugu Stars

One of the most discussed topics in film-watching communities today is the age gap between actors and actresses. From the early 20th century, a significant age difference between lead actors and actresses was common, with actresses often much younger. At the time, this did not attract much criticism due to prevailing social norms and the way relationships were portrayed on screen.

Over the years, generations and thought processes have changed. However, many senior stars continue to work with younger actresses, which has led to criticism from certain sections of the audience who find such pairings unappealing. Within the industry, opinions remain divided. While some actors and actresses view it purely as a professional acting choice, others have expressed discomfort with large age differences in on-screen pairings.

Ashika Ranganath, who gained popularity through Kannada cinema, is now making her foray into Telugu films. She has acted alongside stars such as Kalyan Ram, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja, most of whom are significantly older than her. Her upcoming film, Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, stars Ravi Teja. During a press meet held on Saturday, the topic of Ashika pairing with older actors came up, prompting her to share her perspective.

Speaking at the event, Ashika said, “I look at my work from an actor’s point of view and focus on how versatile I can be. In Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, my character is young and modern, while in Naa Saami Ranga with Nagarjuna garu, I played a more mature role. I look for versatility. I don’t focus on the age category of the actor, I focus on how well I fit the role and how convincingly I can portray the character. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a young hero’s film or a senior hero’s film. What matters to me is what my role contributes to the story.”

Actress Dimple Hayathi, who was also present at the press meet, echoed Ashika’s views. She stated that she looks for versatility in roles and does not see age as a problem, adding that working with senior actors is an opportunity to learn. Similar opinions have been shared by several actresses in the past. Recently, actor Karthi, who paired with Kriti Shetty in Vaa Vaathiyaar, also said that he considers only the characters and the story, rather than age, while choosing roles.