‘Bhai of toxic masculinity’: Sona Mahapatra calls out Salman Khan for response on age gap with Rashmika Mandanna 2025 best
‘Bhai of Toxic Masculinity’: Sona Mohapatra Calls Out Salman Khan for Response on Age Gap with Rashmika Mandanna
Introduction
The controversy surrounding Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s statement on his significant age gap with co-star Rashmika Mandanna in Sikandar has taken a new turn. ‘Bhai of toxic masculinity’: Sona Mahapatra calls out Salman Khan for response on age gap with Rashmika Mandanna 2025 best Singer Sona Mohapatra, known for her outspoken views on gender and misogyny in Bollywood, has criticized Salman Khan, calling him the “Bhai of Toxic Masculinity.”
The debate over casting older male actors opposite significantly younger actresses is not new in Bollywood. However, Salman Khan’s remark—”If the heroine doesn’t have any problem, then why should anyone else have an issue?”—has ignited heated discussions on social media. While some fans support his stance, others, including Mohapatra, see it as a reflection of the industry’s deep-seated gender bias.
This article explores the controversy, Sona Mohapatra’s criticism, ‘Bhai of toxic masculinity’: Sona Mahapatra calls out Salman Khan for response on age gap with Rashmika Mandanna 2025 best and the broader implications of age disparities in Bollywood.
Salman Khan’s Response to the Age Gap Debate
At a recent Sikandar promotional event, Salman Khan, 58, was asked about his pairing with 28-year-old Rashmika Mandanna. His response was direct: “If the heroine is okay with it, and the audience enjoys the pairing, then what’s the issue?” He added a lighthearted but controversial remark: “In the future, I might even work with her daughter when she has one.”
While his comment was meant as a joke, it did not sit well with many. Critics argue that such statements normalize an industry trend where male actors continue to play romantic leads well into their 50s and 60s, while female actors struggle to find leading roles beyond their 30s.
Sona Mohapatra’s Criticism: ‘Bhai of Toxic Masculinity’
Singer and activist Sona Mohapatra, known for calling out sexism in Bollywood, ‘Bhai of toxic masculinity’: Sona Mahapatra calls out Salman Khan for response on age gap with Rashmika Mandanna 2025 best responded strongly to Salman Khan’s remarks. Taking to social media, she wrote:
“Bollywood continues to celebrate age-old patriarchy with pride. The ‘Bhai of Toxic Masculinity’ believes that as long as a ‘heroine’ is okay with being cast opposite a man who could be her father, everyone else should shut up? Shameful.”
This isn’t the first time Mohapatra has spoken against Salman Khan. She previously criticized him for his remarks about Sultan, where he compared his rigorous training to feeling like a “raped woman.” ‘Bhai of toxic masculinity’: Sona Mahapatra calls out Salman Khan for response on age gap with Rashmika Mandanna 2025 best She has also highlighted how the film industry overlooks his history of misogynistic comments and legal controversies.
Bollywood’s Age-Old Problem: The Age Gap Debate
The age disparity in Bollywood is a persistent issue. Many male superstars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Akshay Kumar, have been paired with actresses decades younger than them. Below are some examples:
- Shah Rukh Khan & Anushka Sharma (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, 2008) – 23-year age gap
- Aamir Khan & Fatima Sana Shaikh (Thugs of Hindostan, 2018) – 26-year age gap
- Akshay Kumar & Manushi Chhillar (Samrat Prithviraj, 2022) – 29-year age gap
Meanwhile, female actors in Bollywood often face a drastically shorter career span. Once they reach their late 30s, they are typically offered supporting roles or motherly characters, while their male counterparts continue to romance younger women on-screen.
Public and Social Media Reactions
Social media has been abuzz with reactions to both Salman Khan’s comment and Sona Mohapatra’s criticism. Here’s a look at the divided opinions:
- Support for Salman Khan: Many fans argue that if Rashmika Mandanna has no issue, then there is no controversy. Some also point out that Hollywood features similar pairings, citing actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, and George Clooney.
- Criticism of Salman Khan: Many netizens echoed Mohapatra’s sentiments, stating that Bollywood continues to promote toxic masculinity by sidelining older actresses while allowing male superstars to dominate romantic leads indefinitely.
- Memes and Sarcastic Comments: The internet was flooded with memes joking about Salman Khan’s future co-stars potentially being toddlers today. One viral tweet stated, “At this rate, Salman Khan’s heroine in 2050 hasn’t even been born yet!”
Rashmika Mandanna’s Stance
When asked about the controversy, Rashmika Mandanna handled the situation diplomatically. She stated: “I’ve always admired Salman Sir’s work. It’s an honor to work with him, ‘Bhai of toxic masculinity’: Sona Mahapatra calls out Salman Khan for response on age gap with Rashmika Mandanna 2025 best and I focus on my role rather than debates about age.”
While her response was professional, it also raises an important question: Do actresses in Bollywood have much choice in these matters, or is the industry’s power dynamic such that they must accept roles opposite older male stars to sustain their careers?
The Way Forward: Bollywood’s Responsibility
This controversy has sparked a broader discussion on how Bollywood can change its approach to casting:
- Promote Age-Appropriate Pairings: More films should feature lead actors who are closer in age to create a realistic and progressive portrayal of romance.
- Better Roles for Older Actresses: Bollywood must move beyond the notion that female actors have an “expiry date” and offer them strong, lead roles.
- Stop Normalizing Male Superstars’ Eternal Youth: While CGI and makeup can make actors appear younger, the industry should embrace stories that allow them to play age-appropriate roles.
- Encourage Young Male Talent: Instead of relying on a handful of aging superstars, Bollywood should invest in the next generation of male actors to balance the industry.
Conclusion
The Sikandar age-gap controversy is not just about one film or one actor—it reflects a deep-rooted issue in Bollywood. While Salman Khan’s response downplays the debate, voices like Sona Mohapatra remind us that these industry norms must be challenged.
As audiences become more vocal, Bollywood has an opportunity to evolve. The question remains: Will it continue glorifying the same patterns, or will it finally embrace change?
