Ranveer Singh romancing a 20-year-younger Sara Arjun in 'Dhurandhar' initially received flak. However, the audience is saying otherwise now.
Dhurandhar has been dominating headlines since its theatrical release on December 5, 2025, due to its strong box office performance. Dhurandhar is the lengthiest Bollywood film of 2025, with a runtime of 3-hour-32-minutes. The film's pre-release hype was heightened by its legal troubles and the controversy surrounding its plot and character details. However, after its release, the audience's views have been seen as largely altered, with heaps of praise for the actors' performances and the apt casting. The fans' views regarding Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun's on-screen chemistry have also changed, and how.
The controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun stemmed from their portrayal of an intense on-screen romance in Dhurandhar, despite a 20-year age gap. The debate ignited on social media after the film's first look was dropped and a romantic song teaser was unveiled, revealing that Ranveer Singh (age 40 at that time) was paired with Sara Arjun (aged 20). Sara Arjun was reportedly just a little over 18 when she began shooting for the Aditya Dhar-directed film. Critics on social media slammed the 20-year age gap; however, those who have already watched Dhurandhar have since changed their stance on the age debate.
Following Dhurandhar's theatrical release, many fans took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to argue that Sara Arjun's casting as 'Yalina Jamali' was perfect. The plot specifically required a young girl, and Sara Arjun "fits perfectly in that plot, and it's supposed to be an age gap situation," stated a Redditor. The film is a sprawling espionage drama inspired by real events, and the romantic subplot has narrative elements that justify the age difference between 'Major Jaskirat Singh Rangi' (played by Ranvee Singh) and 'Yalina Jamali'.
The fans praised Sara's acting prowess and also lauded the filmmakers for not ignoring the age gap between her and Ranveer's characters, but instead incorporating it into the dialogue of the movie's actors. A fan wrote, "This age difference was addressed well in the film! She [Sara Arjun] played the role very well with honesty." Another echoed similar sentiments, writing, "That's the best part. And even though he was 'using' her, he still gives her agency in making a very important decision." A third commented, "Yes, not a miscast. Was afraid what am I gonna experience in theatres today because of all the buzz around this pairing but loved every bit of it."
In Dhurandhar, Sara Arjun plays the female lead named 'Yalina Jamali', who is in love with the protagonist, played by Ranveer Singh. Her role is pivotal to the film's narrative as Ranveer's character draws crucial inside information regarding his enemy from 'Yalini'. She is portrayed as the daughter of 'Jameel Jamali' (played by Rakesh Bedi). 'Jameel' is a menacing Pakistani politician and slum lord. His character is based on the real-life Pakistani politician, Nabil Gabol. 'Major Jaskirat Singh Rangi' honey-traps her and uses her to fulfill his undercover mission as 'Hamza Ali Mazari'.
One of the main concerns of the movie was how the on-screen romance between Sara Arjun and Ranveer would pan out. However, the filmmakers have allegedly taken care of this aspect as well, turning trolls into fans of the two actors' chemistry. "I loved how they kept it respectful when it came to showing the relationship no unnecessary intimate scenes, they did it quite gracefully," stated a Redditor. A scene from the movie has been going viral, wherein Ranveer enters Sara's room through the window and shares romantic moments with her. However, when he brings his face too close to hers, the scene goes black, keeping things respectful.
What are your thoughts on Sara Arjun's casting as Ranveer Singh's on-screen lover in Dhurandhar? Let us know.
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