25 May,2026 02:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Varun Dhawan and Mouni Roy (A still from the promo)
Actor Mouni Roy has become the centre of an online debate after reports revealed that she will be playing Varun Dhawan's mother in an upcoming David Dhawan film despite being only a year older than him in real life. The casting decision has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users questioning Bollywood's approach to female actors and age representation in films.
According to reports, Mouni, who is 40, has been cast as the mother of Varun Dhawan's character in the untitled comedy directed by veteran filmmaker David Dhawan. Varun, meanwhile, is currently 39 years old. The minimal age gap between the actors quickly caught the attention of internet users, who criticised the casting choice and accused the industry of sidelining women into "older" roles much earlier than male actors.
Soon after the news surfaced, social media platforms were flooded with reactions and memes mocking the decision. One user wrote, "David Dhawan's peak brain rot," while another commented, "Bollywood really starts treating actresses as mothers the moment they cross 35." Several users also compared the situation to earlier Bollywood films where actresses close in age to male stars were cast as their mothers or older relatives.
Many social media users argued that the casting reflects a long-standing gender imbalance in the film industry, where ageing male actors continue to romance much younger actresses while women are pushed into maternal roles relatively early in their careers. Some users pointed out that actors significantly older than Varun Dhawan still regularly headline romantic films opposite actresses decades younger than them.
At the same time, a section of internet users defended the casting, saying actors should be free to experiment with unconventional roles regardless of age. Some fans praised Mouni for taking on a performance-oriented character instead of focusing solely on glamorous parts. Others suggested that the film's storyline might include unusual comedic or fantasy elements that justify the casting choice.
Neither Mouni Roy nor Varun Dhawan has publicly reacted to the online discourse surrounding the film so far. David Dhawan has also remained silent about the controversy despite the debate continuing to trend online.
The upcoming project marks another collaboration for David Dhawan in the comedy genre, a space where he has delivered several commercial entertainers over the decades. However, before the film's official title or plot details could generate buzz, the casting itself has already become one of the most discussed Bollywood topics online.
