Rajinikanth and Preity Zinta: The Unconventional On-Screen Pair
Indian cinema is no stranger to age gaps between lead pairs. From Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan, Bollywood often pairs older heroes with younger heroines. But one pairing that still surprises fans is Rajinikanth and Preity Zinta in the 2002 film Baba.
At the time, Rajinikanth was 52, while Preity was just 26—a staggering 36-year age difference. Yet, their chemistry in this Tamil-Hindi bilingual film became a talking point.
Who Was the Actress?
The Bollywood star in question is Preity Zinta, known for her vivacious roles in films like Dil Chahta Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho. In Baba, she played Rajinikanth’s love interest, marking a rare Bollywood-South crossover.
Why Baba Was a Unique Film
Directed by Suresh Krissna, Baba was a supernatural drama where Rajinikanth played a rebellious man with divine powers. Preity’s character brought a Bollywood touch to the Tamil production. Though the film wasn’t a blockbuster, it remains memorable for this unusual pairing.
Fans were surprised to see the young, energetic Preity Zinta alongside the legendary Thalaiva. Despite the age gap, their on-screen chemistry worked, thanks to strong performances.
How This Pairing Differs from Salman Khan’s Romances
Unlike Salman Khan, who routinely pairs with actresses decades younger (Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Pooja Hegde), Rajinikanth’s romance with Preity was a one-time experiment. The film’s spiritual theme made the age gap less controversial.
Rajinikanth has mostly avoided such pairings, often working with actresses closer to his age (Sripriya, Radhika Sarathkumar). Baba was an exception, not the norm.
Preity Zinta’s Thoughts on Rajinikanth
Preity has always praised Rajinikanth’s humility and professionalism. Despite the age difference, she called working with him a learning experience: “He’s a legend, and acting with him was about respect, not just romance.”
Bollywood vs. South Cinema: Age Gap Perspectives
While Bollywood often faces criticism for large age gaps (e.g., Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar), South Indian cinema is typically more conservative. Rajinikanth’s Baba was an exception, but the focus stayed on the story rather than the real-life age difference.
The Legacy of Baba
Baba wasn’t Rajinikanth’s biggest hit, but it showed his willingness to experiment. Post-Baba, he shifted to roles emphasizing action and drama (Chandramukhi, Sivaji, Kabali), avoiding romantic subplots.
Final Verdict
While Salman Khan’s age-gap romances make headlines, Rajinikanth’s pairing with Preity Zinta remains a fascinating footnote in Indian cinema. Would you like to see more such pairings, or should actors stick to age-appropriate roles? Share your thoughts!
