Bollywood has long been criticised for its strange and often unfair age dynamics. While male superstars continue to romance younger actresses even in their fifties and sixties, actresses are frequently pushed into playing mothers or aunts much earlier in their careers. Actress Dia Mirza recently revisited this reality through a funny yet thought-provoking memory involving Salman Khan.
During a casual baking session with filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan on her YouTube channel, Dia spoke about her early years in the film industry. The conversation eventually turned to Salman Khan, one of her earliest co-stars. When Farah enthusiastically suggested that the two should reunite on screen, Dia laughed and remarked that Bollywood doesn’t exactly work that way, especially when it comes to aging actresses.
This led Dia to share a fascinating memory from the sets of their 2002 film Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge. At the time, Dia was only 19 years old and had just begun her journey in the Hindi film industry. She recalled spending time on the sets with Salman Khan and actor Rajpal Yadav while waiting for their scenes to be called.
During one of these breaks, Dia noticed the actress cast as Salman’s mother in the film. She had recently become a mother in real life and appeared remarkably young to be playing the mother of an established male superstar. Curious and amused, Dia pointed this out to Salman.
“I remember telling him that she was playing his mother and had just had a baby, so she must be quite young,” Dia recalled.
Salman’s response left the young actress stunned.
According to Dia, Salman looked at her and casually said, “Dekhna ek din tu meri maa ka role karegi” (One day, you’ll play my mother).
The comment horrified Dia. But Salman, known for his straightforward sense of humour, simply shrugged and added, “Don’t worry, this will happen to you as well.”
The anecdote brought plenty of laughter during the YouTube episode, but it also highlighted a deeper issue that continues to exist in the industry. Over the years, several actresses have spoken about how quickly they are expected to transition from playing romantic leads to portraying mothers or older relatives, often while their male counterparts continue to enjoy hero roles.
Looking back now, Dia sees Salman’s comment less as a joke and more as a brutally honest observation about Bollywood’s treatment of women and age. Decades later, his offhand prediction still serves as a sharp reminder of the industry’s double standards.
Sometimes, the funniest stories reveal the most uncomfortable truths—and Dia Mirza’s memory with Salman Khan is a perfect example of that reality.