When Salman Khan Told Dia Mirza, “One Day You’ll Play My Mother”—A Comment That Still Raises Eyebrows

In an industry where aging actresses often find their roles shrinking while male actors continue to dominate the screen as evergreen heroes, one particular remark made by Salman Khan to Dia Mirza has resurfaced—and it’s raising eyebrows all over again.

During the shoot of the 2002 action-drama Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Dia Mirza recalled a rather unsettling moment involving Salman Khan. The duo, who shared screen space in the film, were in conversation when Salman pointed towards the woman playing his on-screen mother and casually remarked, "She once played my heroine. And one day, you will play my mother too."

At the time, Dia, who was fairly new to the industry, didn’t know whether to laugh or be disturbed by the comment. In retrospect, she has described the moment as baffling and somewhat jarring, even though it was likely meant in jest. The remark, however, sheds light on a deeper, controversial truth within Bollywood—one that highlights the glaring gender disparity and ageism that exists in the casting of roles.

Why is it that female actors age out of romantic leads so early, while their male counterparts remain in leading roles for decades? Salman Khan, who has romanced actresses almost half his age well into his fifties, seems to embody this very paradox. Meanwhile, actresses like Dia Mirza, even in their prime, are warned—albeit jokingly—that their fate is to eventually play the mother of the very heroes they once starred opposite.

Many argue this is just “how Bollywood works,” but such offhand remarks can have deeper implications, especially in a culture where onscreen representation is taken seriously. It subtly normalizes a skewed dynamic, where women are replaceable and men are ageless. While Salman may not have intended to belittle Dia or insult her future in cinema, the statement echoed a harsh reality that the industry seldom wants to confront.

This resurfaced anecdote has ignited debate online. Some netizens see it as classic Salman-style humor—cheeky and harmless. But others call it a clear example of the industry’s deep-rooted sexism. The fact that such a comment could be brushed off or even seen as funny is, in itself, part of the problem.

Dia Mirza, now a respected actress and social advocate, has never let such moments define her. But revisiting this story years later has reopened discussion about how female stars are treated differently in Indian cinema—not just in casting but in perception.

As Bollywood slowly begins to change—with films now casting age-appropriate pairs and giving strong roles to older actresses—this moment from the past serves as a reminder of how far the industry still has to go. Perhaps next time, instead of laughing off such remarks, we should pause and ask: who is really being aged out here—and why?