Odisha-born singer Sona Mohapatra slams Salman Khan over his age gap remark with Rashmika Mandanna

Indian Singer Sona Mohapatra has taken a dig at Bollywood superstar Salman Khan over his response to the 31-year age gap between him and his Sikandar co-star Rashmika Mandanna . 

The Odisha-born acclaimed singer called him the "bhai of toxic masculinity", questioning his views on patriarchy and changing societal norms.

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Sona Mohapatra Calls Out Salman Khan

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Sona Mohapatra reacted to Salman’s statement, where he justified the age difference between him and Rashmika, saying that if she and her father had no issue, others should not be concerned.

Sona wrote, “Heroine aur heroine ke ‘BAAP’ ko koi problem nahin hai’… The ‘BHAI’ of toxic masculinity, patriarchy doesn’t realise that #India has changed?”

Heroine aur heroine ke ‘BAAP’ ko koi problem nahin hai’..to jab inki shaadi ho jaegi &..’permission’ like garbage response on being asked about the out of context 31 year gap with his leading lady-the ‘BHAI’ of toxic masculinity,patriarchy doesn’t realise that #India has changed?

— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) March 23, 2025

Her post sparked mixed reactions from social media users; while some supported her stand, others defended Salman Khan by commenting:

“That is why no one watches his movies anymore.”

“If the heroine has no issue, why does anyone else bother?”
    
“Just don’t listen to his statements if you have a problem.”

Salman Khan’s ‘Controversial’ Statement

During the Sikandar trailer launch event, Salman dismissed criticism over the age gap between him and Rashmika, stating, “Jab heroine ko problem nahi hai, heroine ke papa ko dikkat nahi hai, tumko kyun dikkat hai bhai?”

He even joked that if given permission, he could act with Rashmika’s future daughter someday. Rashmika, present at the event, was seen laughing at his remark.

Also Read: Salman Khan on '31-year gap with Rashmika Mandanna': 'Will work with her daughter too'

About AR Murugadoss Directed ‘Sikandar’

Directed by AR Murugadoss, Sikandar is an action-packed film where Salman Khan plays a larger-than-life character fighting crime in Mumbai. Rashmika Mandanna stars as his love interest, alongside Kajal Aggarwal. The film is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and is set for an Eid 2025 release.