R Madhavan, currently promoting his upcoming Netflix film ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’, believes the film industry is finally embracing more authentic and age-appropriate depictions of love. In a recent interview with India Today, the actor noted a significant shift in the way romance is portrayed, especially when it comes to casting older actors opposite much younger female leads.
“There are more age-appropriate romances now because people have criticised it so much,” Madhavan shared. “Woh zamana gaya — the time is gone when you could be much older and still pretend to be the same age as the heroine and romance her.”
Calling the transition inevitable and audience-driven, he added, “That has stopped now. And even if it’s attempted, it’s not being accepted. So you have to be smart about how age differences are shown.”
Still, Madhavan is pragmatic:
“Whatever works. If people are rejecting your stories, then clearly something’s wrong. We’re here to tell stories they want to hear — not just ones we want to tell. Main apne hi dhun mein gaata rahunga. Aur agar koi sunne ke liye nahi hai, toh akeli dekh lo movies.”
Talking about ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’, which pairs him with Fatima Sana Shaikh, he clarified that the story goes deeper than just its unconventional romance. “It’s rooted in modern-day isolation — people surrounded by crowds yet deeply lonely. That’s the heart of the story.”
The film, directed by Vivek Soni, releases on July 11 on Netflix.