Latest news with #Namdev
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shivangi Verma hits back after Govind Namdev reveals the story behind their viral photo: 'Buzurg satiya jaate hain'
Veteran actor , 70, recently broke his silence on the dating rumours involving his 31-year-old co-star Shivangi Verma. He revealed that their viral photo was part of a planned publicity strategy for their upcoming film Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, it appears that is not at all pleased with this revelation. Govind Namdev clarifies the viral photo In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Namdev explained, 'When the film was being prepared, we had a discussion with the director, producer, and Shivangi about planning a strong publicity strategy. I agreed that it was necessary,' he said, adding that they had taken photos during morning workouts and shoot days. Namdev said that Shivangi herself had suggested the idea of projecting them as a romantic pair to generate buzz. 'Shivangi insisted that we should have a romantic pairing, that the images needed to convey a certain chemistry. I agreed, but also asked what kind of content she had in mind,' he explained. 'She said, 'There's a lot. Content matters most.' I thought, fine, let's do it.' However, he said things went south when she proceeded with tagging and posting content without informing him. 'That's where the misunderstanding started. People began speculating about us, and frankly, I didn't appreciate it. That's why I stopped talking to her,' he stated. Shivangi posts a scathing message on Instagram Shivangi didn't take these remarks lightly. On Wednesday evening, she took to her Instagram Stories and posted a scathing message in Hindi: 'Sahi kaha hai kisi ne, buzurg badhti umr mein satiya jaate hain...G***** Tired of too many ads? go ad free now N*****.' The comment, roughly translated to 'Old people lose their senses with age,' was seen as a direct dig at Namdev. The use of his initials left little doubt about whom she was referring to. 'I'm not here to prove anything,' says Namdev In the same interview, Namdev also addressed rumours suggesting that his marriage with wife Sudha Namdev had hit a rough patch due to the controversy. 'There were rumours that my household was affected and me and my wife were considering living separately. I didn't react then, and I don't react now. Everyone can see the truth,' he said. 'The more I raped, murdered, misbehaved onscreen, the more I got close to my family,' says popular villain Govind Namdev He added that the situation forced him to speak up, especially after people close to him expressed concern. 'People had begun feeling sorry for me — not just the audience, but even close friends and family. So yes, as a respected actor, I felt a responsibility to speak up. That's why I shared two posts initially — just to set the record straight.'
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Govind Namdev at 70 reveals truth behind viral post on dating younger actress: 'There were rumors that me and my wife...'
Govind Namdev, who was last seen in Ajay Devgn's recently released film, Raid 2, is one of the talented actors in Hindi cinema. Amid the dating rumors with actress Shivangi Verma, the actor has revealed the truth behind their viral picture. The veteran actor also shared how it started a rumor about his married life as well. In a new interview with ETimes, Govind Namdev recently addressed the rumors of dating a younger actress. Namdev revealed that the picture in question was a part of their professional publicity strategy for their upcoming movie, Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. While the OMG- O My God! actor agreed to do it, he claimed that the 30-year-old actress "tagged the film in a certain way" without informing him. Namdev shared that the actor was upset about how people started speculating about them, which he didn't appreciate. So much so that he stopped talking to her, as he didn't want to get involved in "unnecessary drama." Govind Namdev also opened up about how the viral post started a rumor about his married life. "There were rumors that my household was affected and me and my wife were considering living separately," the 70-year-old actor said. Namdev stressed that he didn't react to the rumor at the time, while adding that he doesn't want to "prove" anything to people. This is not the first time that Govind Namdev has clarified their photo in the discussion. After the picture went viral, in December 2024, the senior actor posted the same image on his Instagram handle. He penned a lengthy note along with it, while mentioning that the picture is not a part of his 'real' life. The viral photo was first posted by his co-star Shivangi Verma on Instagram last year. Verma captioned it as "Pyaar knows no age, no limits." Govind Namdev is married to Sudha Namdev. On the work front, Namdev made his acting debut as a corrupt cop in the 1992 film, Shola Aur Shabnam. His notable movies include OMG – Oh My God!, Satya, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Wanted, Johnny Gaddaar, Virasat, Pukar, Sarfarosh, and many more. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Shivangi insisted on having a romantic...' OMG star Govind Namdev speaks about viral photo with 40-years-younger actress
Veteran actor Govind Namdev has clarified rumours linking him romantically to actress Shivangi Verma, explaining that a viral photo of them was part of a planned publicity strategy for their upcoming film Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. Namdev said Verma moved ahead with the campaign without informing him, leading to misunderstandings and public speculation. He distanced himself from her afterward and addressed the matter publicly to protect his personal and professional image. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Clarification on the Viral Photograph Fallout from the Public Speculation Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Reflecting on His Career Choices Veteran actor Govind Namdev has broken his silence on the widespread speculation regarding his relationship with 30-year-old actress Shivangi Verma . The rumours took off after a photograph of the two together surfaced online, prompting gossip about a possible off-screen romance. Namdev, however, has now come forward to explain the context behind the viral image and to clear misconceptions surrounding the per ETimes, Namdev, who is 70 years old, stated that the photo was part of a planned publicity campaign for their upcoming film Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. During a meeting with the film's director, producer, and Verma, they had discussed strategies to generate buzz. According to him, it was Verma who pushed for presenting their on-screen pairing as a romantic one, believing it would help draw attention to the project. Namdev agreed in principle and approved the idea on the basis that it was purely for promotional he revealed that things took a turn when Verma proceeded with the campaign independently, tagging the film in a particular way without informing him. This, he explained, led to misunderstandings and unwanted speculation. As the rumours began to intensify, Namdev expressed his displeasure and distanced himself from further interaction with actor also addressed the personal toll the rumours took, including false claims about trouble in his marriage. He acknowledged that people around him — including friends and family — started expressing concern, assuming there was some truth to the gossip. Feeling responsible as a public figure, Namdev decided to clarify the matter by posting statements emphasized the significance of an actor's responsibility toward the audience. He said actors are admired and followed, and their actions — on or off-screen — influence how people think. This, he noted, makes it critical to maintain integrity and transparency in public asked about his openness to portraying romantic roles, Namdev said he has no issue taking on such parts if they align with the script and carry moral or narrative value. He drew a clear line between genuine storytelling and sensationalism, stating that he is only interested in roles that contribute meaningfully to the built a career around powerful portrayals, especially in negative roles, Namdev reiterated his belief that characters should elicit the intended emotional responses. He said his aim is not to glorify wrongdoing but to ensure that audiences feel the impact of immoral actor also shared a personal regret from earlier in his career — endorsing a paan masala advertisement. At the time, he said, the campaign received praise, but in hindsight, he now sees the harmful message it conveyed. He stated firmly that he would not support such products today and has also spoken out against advertisements promoting tobacco and gaming, citing the need for ethical boundaries in professional Goharganj Wale, the film at the centre of this controversy, is expected to depict a nuanced relationship between an older man and a young woman. Namdev, an alumnus of the National School of Drama, remains committed to selecting roles that reflect social realities.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Govind Namdev breaks silence on dating rumours with Shivangi Verma: ‘Without informing me, she went ahead... that's why I stopped talking to her'
Veteran actor Govind Namdev has finally addressed the dating rumours swirling around him and actress Shivangi Verma after a photograph of the two together went viral. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, the 70-year-old actor set the record straight, revealing that the photo in question was part of a professional publicity strategy for their upcoming film Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. 'When the film was being prepared, we had a discussion with the director, producer, and Shivangi about planning a strong publicity strategy. I agreed that it was necessary. We'd already shot several scenes, done morning exercises together, and clicked some good photographs,' Namdev said. He added that Shivangi was the one who suggested presenting them as a romantic pair to build intrigue. 'Shivangi insisted that we should have a romantic pairing, that the images needed to convey a certain chemistry. I agreed, but also asked what kind of content she had in mind. She said, 'There's a lot. Content matters most.' I thought, fine, let's do it. But then, without informing me, she went ahead and tagged the film in a certain way. That's where the misunderstanding started,' he explained. The veteran actor made it clear that he was upset with how the situation unfolded. 'People began speculating about us, and frankly, I didn't appreciate it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo That's why I stopped talking to her,' he stated. 'I don't want to get involved in unnecessary drama.' Rumours even reached the point where it was said his marriage with wife Sudha Namdev was under strain. 'There were rumours that my household was affected and me and my wife were considering living separately. I didn't react then, and I don't react now. Everyone can see the truth. If someone refuses to, that's not my problem. I'm not here to prove anything to anyone,' he said candidly. Namdev revealed that after seeing the first misleading post, he felt compelled to clarify the situation. 'People had begun feeling sorry for me — not just the audience, but even close friends and family. So yes, as a respected actor, I felt a responsibility to speak up. That's why I shared two posts initially — just to set the record straight.' Veteran actor Govind Namdev reveals people stopped offering him films after 'Shola Aur Shabnam' thinking he is 'egoist' Reflecting on his responsibilities as an artist, Namdev emphasized the importance of being mindful of the impact one's work has on the audience. 'If people idolize or follow us, we have a duty to be responsible in what we portray. The audience's love is what gives an actor life. If they stop believing in you, your journey ends.' On being asked if he's open to playing romantic roles even now, Namdev responded affirmatively. 'If a script comes my way with a romantic pairing — even with an older or same-age actress — and it makes narrative sense, I'm absolutely comfortable doing it. But not just for sensationalism. There should be a reason, a moral perspective, something that reflects real-life dynamics.' The actor, known for his powerful negative roles, also spoke about his guiding philosophy as an actor: 'Even if I'm playing a villain, the intention should be that the audience dislikes the wrongdoing, not glorifies it. I try to make people feel that impact through my performance.' In a moment of reflection, he also admitted to a professional regret. 'Yes, I regret doing one paan masala ad early in my career. At the time, it seemed fine — everyone appreciated it. But today, I realize the kind of message it sends. I would never endorse something like that again. I've spoken openly against tobacco and gaming ads too. There's a limit to earning money. You have to draw the line somewhere.' Summing up his views, Namdev added, 'Cinema is a mirror of society — what we show on screen shapes how people think. If we portray the wrong things, we must show their consequences too. That's my effort — to ensure that even if we show darkness, it leads to some light.'
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why age gap romance still rules Indian cinema: Govind Namdev, Shenaz Treasury, Vivek Agnihotri, Anant Mahadevan, Rahul Bhat and others discuss the truth behind timeless men and invisible women
In the world of Indian cinema—where fantasy meets formula—few tropes have persisted as stubbornly as the tendency to pair aging male superstars with much younger female leads. What was once accepted without question is now being challenged more vocally—by audiences, actors, and filmmakers alike. From veteran performers to outspoken critics, many are beginning to interrogate not just the optics of these on-screen pairings, but the deep-seated ideology that fuels them. The verdict? Male stardom is still synonymous with timeless appeal, while female desirability is tightly shackled to youth. In this special feature, ETimes gathers unfiltered insights from industry insiders who lay bare the gendered dynamics of Indian cinema's most controversial romantic formula. The classic formula: older male star, young female lead Veteran actor Govind Namdev sums up the mindset behind this casting trend: 'The audience will only like it if there is pairing. Otherwise, why would there be? The producer who invests so many crores, he invests it with the hope or with the observation that people like this pairing.' For decades, commercial logic has kept this formula alive—pairing a popular, aging male star with a young heroine is seen as a safe bet at the box office. Namdev explains, 'Like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn — their heroines are always young. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The public likes this pairing, and producers spend crores betting on it.' This idea of 'audience preference' reflects more than just business sense—it reveals a societal mindset where men are expected to age gracefully, while a woman's value is tightly tied to her youth. 'Patriarchal, clichéd, and unrealistic' Actress Shenaz Treasury offers a sharp critique of this trend: 'Unrealistic. Patriarchal. Cliché. Unless the script actually acknowledges the age gap, I'm out. If they cast a 50+ woman opposite a 25-year-old man? Now that would be interesting. Let's flip the script for once. But most times, they just pretend the man is ageless and the woman... invisible after 35. So unless the story has something real to say about that dynamic, I'm not buying it. ' She points out how often the age difference is ignored in scripts, as if men don't age and women simply vanish after 35. She says, 'Sadly, yes. Aging is treated like a scandal. 'OMG she's 43!' – they say it like it's a crime. Not 'Wow, she has so much life experience, depth, and power.' We shame women for getting older, then wonder why everyone's injecting fillers into their faces at 30. And the worst part? Talent doesn't always save you. Wrinkles are still a bigger problem than weak scripts.' Treasury's words highlight the double standard women face both on-screen and off—where appearance matters more than talent, and aging is treated like something shameful. The double standard: men age, women disappear Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri sums up the gender imbalance clearly: 'When I started my career in 2005 with Chocolate, I realized that almost all actors, regardless of their age—whether 40, 50, 60, or 70—insist on having a younger heroine. In fact, there was a time when directors were pressured to sign only young actresses, and this is also a tradition in the South. If you look at South Indian cinema, no matter the hero's age, the heroine has to be young, fair-looking, and sexy. So, what does this indicate? It basically indicates that the role of women in our films is only for three criteria: they have to be young, sexy and desirable. And it is considered that the desirable age is only when you are young and not married.' He points out how men's aging is overlooked or even celebrated, while women's careers drop off once they marry or grow older: 'A hero can have five marriages, affairs, get as old as he wants, do VFX to his face, shoot with body doubles... nothing matters because we make hero worshipping films, not heroine worshipping ones.' Agnihotri's words expose the patriarchal system that keeps male stars on a pedestal while women are pushed aside as they age. "No matter how talented an actress is or how good her performances are, once she gets married or is seen to be in a relationship with someone, her demand suddenly goes down," he adds. Searching for new stories: actors want meaningful roles Govind Namdev shares a more hopeful take based on changing audience tastes: 'These days, people are liking biographies more. They are liking stories coming from real incidents... If people like my work, they want to see me in a new form.' He welcomes roles that allow for fresh, unconventional pairings: 'If I am paired with a heroine, I will get to see something new... On screen, as a performance, we will get to see something new, there will be some new movements.' Namdev's views suggest audiences are ready for stories that explore romance beyond youthful glamor—stories with older characters who bring emotional depth and authenticity. Jai Santoshi Maa—rivaled Sholay, beat Deewaar | I Witness Industry inertia slows change Despite growing calls for more realistic and diverse storytelling, Bollywood's old power structures keep progress slow. Agnihotri comments: 'There are very few heroine-centric movies made in our industry. And even those are typically made when leading actresses get married, have children, retire, or reach an age where they can no longer be paired with a male hero—only then are they cast in such roles. This is a very male-dominated industry. It has been like this for umpteen number of years and I have a feeling it's going to remain like this for a very long time.' He also reveals how star egos influence casting decisions: 'Heroes also dictate on the set... if a heroine is taller, they will stand on stools or use tricks to appear taller themselves.' This shows how patriarchy controls not just stories, but the entire filmmaking process—reinforcing old norms. Agnihotri elaborates further: 'Another problem is that the roles, the way they are conceived and written is only, only, only to boost the ego of the star, not of the character. We don't write character-driven roles, we write star-driven roles. We want the star to be so happy with those, writing of those roles that he should say yes to the film then and there. And another problem is that heroes also dictate on the set, you know. Like a taller heroine, no, no, then heroes will get a patla and they will stand, which means a six-inch stool or three-inch stool and they'll stand on that. So taller heroines generally have an issue over there. And in any scene if a heroine is dominating a lot, now this is a secret nobody wants to talk about, but in a scene where heroine is really dominating or her performance is better than the hero, then very often her performances will be trimmed or she may be speaking dialogues but the camera will stay on the close-up of the hero. This is a very, very common thing in commercial films. As far as I am concerned, I don't make those kind of films, I make very, very realistic films, so I don't see that problem. And in my film, all the heroines are very, very powerful, they don't depend on the men at all. In fact, they challenge men. If you look at Buddha in a Traffic Jam, same case. If you look at The Tashkent Files, the main lead actress was a heroine who challenged the entire system. In that, the role of Pallavi, though she is handicapped on a wheelchair but a very powerful role. If you see The Kashmir Files, again you will find on one side there is a woman who is a victim but on the other side there is a woman who is challenging the system and changing the system. Yes, that was a kind of a negative role. If you look at it from one perspective, from another perspective, it's a very, very powerful role. And same in the case of The Vaccine War. Vaccine War was about Indian women scientists and we celebrated them. Women scientists say, we can do it. And my next film, The Bengal Files, again has very, very, very strong women roles. In fact, I would call it a woman-centric film. So I don't face that problem and I deliberately do that because that's how I look at women.' Actress Sohaila Kapur sums it up with piercing clarity: "Simple answer. We are a society still stuck in patriarchy." Reimagining romance: What the future could look like Shenaz Treasury believes it's high time love stories reflect real life better. 'Make a love story about people in their 40s or 50s — post-divorce. Or a woman in her 50s with a 38-year-old man. Now that would be more real and romantic.' When asked what desirability means for women on screen — and whether that definition is changing — Shenaz says, 'Women also like looking at hot men. Period. So let's stop pretending it's only women who need to look good. When I was growing up, men could have paunches and still be romantic heroes. Now they're hitting the gym too — and I'm thrilled about that.' On how patriarchy influences the way romance is written and visualized in Indian cinema, she doesn't hold back: 'So many rom-coms still feel like they were written by a 60-year-old uncle who thinks women don't age and men don't need therapy. The power dynamic is always tilted. Women have to be perfect. Men just have to show up. But times are changing — slowly. We need more scripts where love feels equal, age is real, and desire doesn't only belong to the 20-year-olds. ' She urges filmmakers to flip the script and embrace mature storytelling: 'Women definitely look better as they age because they take care of themselves. Compare a 50-year-old Indian woman to a 50-year-old Indian man — who's sexier? Men don't take care of themselves as much as women do.' Her candour challenges the twin biases of ageism and sexism head-on. Veteran perspective: Anant Mahadevan on skewed pairings Director Anant Mahadevan points out the long-standing double standard. 'The fixation on pairing has been a recurring issue for decades. An ageing male lead is no deterrent for filmmakers or audiences. We've seen 30-plus, even 40-plus, actors playing college students. But the lens isn't as kind to female leads — marriage alone can lead to their declassification, let alone aging. It's a myopic view of filmmaking.' He contrasts this with the West: 'In Hollywood, female leads age with grace and are entrusted with mature characters. Here, we seem to doubt the appeal of our female talent. It's just one of many clichéd ways we look at storytelling.' Breaking the mold: Rahul Bhat on chemistry and connection Actor Rahul Bhat rejects the notion that romance is the domain of the young. Asked if he'd be comfortable playing a romantic lead opposite an older or same-age actor, he responds, 'Absolutely. I think chemistry isn't defined by age — it's defined by connection, energy, and truthfulness in performance. We rarely see it because the industry has long fed into a one-sided fantasy: that men can age but women must remain frozen in time. That narrative is being challenged now, thankfully, but we have a long way to go.' He's clear on the need for equity in storytelling. 'Older actresses not only deserve to lead love stories — they need to. Love doesn't expire at 35. In fact, it deepens. Women who have lived, loved, lost, and evolved have far more textured stories to tell. Why should those stories be denied a romantic arc?' On portraying love across an age gap, he adds, 'It depends on how the story handles it. If the age gap is there to titillate or pander, it feels forced. But if it's honest and rooted in character, it can be incredibly moving. As actors, our job is to find that emotional truth — age should add layers, not limitations.' He also calls out the industry's long-standing bias: 'Scripts have long equated desirability with youth. But the good news is, that's changing. Actresses like Vidya Balan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Shefali Shah, Neena Gupta — they're leading love stories with incredible grace and depth. Audiences are responding. The industry just needs to catch up.' Sadia Khateeb : Acting transcends age Sadia Khateeb, who starred in The Diplomat, shares a grounded perspective: 'I mean, as long as actors are comfortable being paired opposite each other, it does not matter if the girl is older or vice versa. Acting is a job where one has to act; it has nothing to do with realism.' She emphasizes that casting choices should serve the story and the director's vision: 'If the director has a vision and the script demands such a pairing, then as actors, we have to fulfill that vision and make the story work.' However, Sadia also calls out the pressures women face: 'I hope seeing ageing of women as an expiry date changes over time; it's a deeply rooted stereotype that has been ongoing not just in the industry, but in society. Women, after they cross a certain age, have a lot of pressure. Age shaming women is somehow a conditioning that has happened over the years — a sort of patriarchy. I hope and pray this changes eventually. Ageing is beautiful; it means you are living. ' Time to grow up: Sandiip Sikcand 's blunt take Actor and creative director Sandiip Sikcand doesn't mince words. 'It's ridiculous to see men in their 60s dancing with heroines old enough to be their daughters. Even audiences recognize the disconnect — that's why these films live on hype and Instagram reels but flop at the box office.' He urges Bollywood to mature. 'The same old stories, senior actors refusing to age, and talented women not getting the right roles — this all needs to change fast. More than stars or projects, Bollywood now needs stories and actors.' Sikcand points to global examples of progress. 'In the West, women do their best work after 30. Even the South gives actors fabulous platforms — their finest work often comes when they act their age.' Power imbalances in casting: Rajesh Tailang weighs in Actor Rajesh Tailang highlights the deeper problem. 'Bollywood's romantic pairings aren't just about chemistry — they mirror the industry's power imbalance. The more powerful the male star, the less expectation there is for him to play age-appropriate roles.' He shares a personal example: 'Meanwhile, I'm cast as the father of actresses who are paired opposite heroes 3–4 years older than me.' Ego and culture: Karan Razdan's perspective Writer and actor Karan Razdan traces the issue to deep-seated beliefs. 'There's an old Indian saying — a man never gets old. And I think the industry takes that literally. Whether it's Mumbai, Chennai, or elsewhere, the hero's ego still needs validation through a younger heroine.' Signs of progress: Karan Singh Chhabra on shifting dynamics Actor Karan Singh Chhabra notes that change is visible, especially on streaming platforms. 'If you look at recent web series, Bhumi Pednekar — who is older than Ishaan Khatter — is romantically involved with him, and the story requires that.' He's hopeful about the direction things are heading. 'Young actress, older actor, older actress, younger actor, same-age pairings — everything's being explored now. Times are changing, and the audience is evolving.' Beyond Bollywood: Mozez Singh on societal bias Director Mozez Singh expands the lens. 'This entire concept is ageist and misogynistic — and it must change. Unfortunately, it's not just films. In real life too, an older woman with a younger man is still seen as odd. But the reverse is normal.' He reminds us that cinema is a mirror. 'The problem is bigger than Bollywood. Films reflect society — and that's where the real work must begin.' Conclusion: Time for a new love story The age-gap romance trope in Indian cinema isn't just a casting quirk. It's a reflection of deeper societal norms that favour male stardom and female youth. But voices across the industry — from actors to directors and writers — are now challenging the status quo. The appetite for real, nuanced, and inclusive love stories is growing. And slowly, but surely, the script is beginning to flip. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
