Main solah baras ki tu kitne baras ka...

When Tina Munim asked this question to Rishi Kapoor in Subhash Ghai's Karz, she got an answer - Satrah (17). But times are changing. In the soon to be released Nishabd, Jiah would get the answer as 60. Hmmm, interesting! And wait, there's another one releasing in April - Cheeni Kum, where Tabu is 34 while Amitabh is 64. Do you think this is the first time we are going to witness such an age difference for an on-screen pair in Hindi Cinema? If you think so, then here's something to refresh your memory. And before I continue, let me put this disclaimer right away. I am, by no stretch of imagination, trying to compare the classic movies mentioned below. It's just about the age-difference factor!

Shaukeen: Ashok Kumar, Utpal Dutt and A.K. Hangal may be in their 60s, but that doesn't mean they have to act like it. When Ashok Kumar's wife goes on a pilgrimage, the codgers decide to make a pilgrimage of their own - for ladies! But when their driver (Mithun) sets them up in a bungalow near his girlfriend's (Rati Agnihotri) house, little does the chauffeur guess that each of the old lechers will make a move on his girl - with hilarious results.

Lamhe: Viren (Anil Kapoor) falls desperately in love with much elder Pallavi (Sridevi), but his shyness prevents him from revealing his true feelings. Pallavi marries another man (Pallo, anyone?). Years later, Pooja (Sridevi, in an award-winning dual role), the mirror image (daughter) of Pallavi, falls in love with much elder Viren. This has to be one of the most beautiful love stories presented by Yash Chopra. My favorite!

Mera Naam Joker: Who can ever forget the tender romance (however one sided it was) between young Raju (Rishi Kapoor) and her school teacher Simi Garewal?

Ek Chhotisi Love Story: In this May-December romance, 15-year-old Aditya Seal becomes obsessed with a 26-year-old Manisha Koirala. Very controversial and very boring movie by K. Shashilal Nair.

Nazrana: Ageing Rajesh Khanna was happily married to Smita Patil until he falls in love with the much younger Sridevi, their maid's daughter.

Griha Parvesh: On the lines of Pati Patni Aur Woh, although not that funny, Sanjeev Kumar has an extra-marital affair albeit this time it's with a much younger Sarika. And he goes to the extent of almost divorcing his wife Sharmila Tagore.

Des Pardes: Well this does not fit into this category completely as although Dev Anand was 60 and Tina Munim only 16, Dev Anand still played only 30+ on screen.

And of course there are some movies like Dil Chahta Hai and Doosra Aadmi where we have our young hero falling in for an elderly woman. But strictly talking of age-difference, they do not fit into this category. Nevertheless, I might have missed out some genuine ones here. You are most welcome to post your comments while I await eagerly for Nishabd and Cheeni Kum!