Shehnaaz Gill and Devdutt Padikkal rumours spark debate on older women dating younger men in Bollywood and changing celebrity relationship trends
New Delhi: The recent rumours linking actress Shehnaaz Gill and cricketer Devdutt Padikkal have once again sparked conversations about relationships where the woman is older than the man. While neither of them has confirmed any relationship, social media discussions after an IPL 2026 match have pushed the topic back into the spotlight. The rumours have also raised a larger question — is Bollywood and celebrity culture becoming more accepting of reverse age-gap relationships?
How the Rumours Started
During the IPL 2026 season in May, Shehnaz Gill was spotted cheering for Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the RCB vs Kolkata Knight Riders match in Raipur. Videos of her celebrating RCB moments quickly went viral online.
Fans especially noticed her reactions during moments involving Devdutt Padikkal, who currently plays for RCB. The buzz grew stronger after Shehnaz shared a fan video supporting the team on her Instagram account.
Soon, social media users started speculating about a possible connection between the two. However, there is currently no official confirmation from either Shehnaz Gill or Devdutt Padikkal. Reports also suggest that the two do not follow each other on social media.
At present, the rumours remain completely unverified and are mainly based on fan assumptions linked to her public support for RCB.
The Age Gap That Started the Debate
Shehnaz Gill was born on January 27, 1994, and is currently 32 years old. Devdutt Padikkal, born on July 7, 2000, is 25 years old. The age difference between them is around seven years, with Shehnaz being older.
This detail became one of the biggest talking points online because Indian celebrity culture has traditionally seen older men paired with younger women — both on-screen and off-screen.
However, in recent years, several Bollywood celebrities have openly challenged that pattern.
Shehnaz Gill’s Journey in the Public Eye
Shehnaz Gill became a household name after appearing in the reality show Bigg Boss. Her cheerful personality and emotional bond with late actor Sidharth Shukla made the pair extremely popular among fans.
After the show, she expanded her career into films, music videos, television appearances, and brand endorsements. Over the years, Shehnaz has also faced constant public attention regarding her personal life.
Earlier, her name was linked with reality star Paras Chhabra and singer Guru Randhawa, though she has largely kept her relationships private.
Her IPL appearance may simply reflect her interest in cricket and public events, but social media quickly turned it into relationship speculation.
Who Is Devdutt Padikkal?
Devdutt Padikkal is a young Indian cricketer from Karnataka who has represented India internationally and plays in the IPL. Known for his calm batting style, he rose to popularity after strong performances for RCB.
Unlike many celebrity cricketers, Padikkal has mostly stayed away from public relationship discussions. Before these rumours, there were no major reports about his dating life.
Bollywood’s Changing Relationship Trends
Even though the Shehnaz–Devdutt rumours are unconfirmed, they have revived discussions about older women dating younger men in Bollywood and celebrity culture.
Over the past decade, several famous women in the entertainment industry have married or dated younger men openly.
Some well-known examples include:
- Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu (22+ years)
- D Soman and Ankita Konwar (~26 years)
- Sanjay Dutt and Manyata Dutt (19 years)
- Shahid Kapoor & Mira Rajput — Shahid is 13 years older than Mira.
- Dharmendra & Hema Malini — Dharmendra is 13 years older than Hema Malini
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas — Priyanka is around 10 years older.
- Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal — Katrina is around 5 years older.
Over time, such relationships have become more visible and socially accepted, especially among urban audiences.
Why These Discussions Matter
The conversation goes beyond celebrity gossip. Experts and social observers say these changing relationship patterns reflect larger social shifts in India.
Today, financially independent women often prioritise emotional compatibility, shared values, and mutual respect over traditional expectations around age.
Social media has also changed how people discuss relationships. Earlier, reverse age-gap couples were rarely spoken about openly. Now, celebrity relationships quickly become national conversations.
At the same time, these couples still face trolling and judgment online, showing that societal acceptance remains mixed.
Cricket and Bollywood Continue Their Long Connection
The connection between Bollywood and cricket has existed for decades. Relationships between actors and cricketers often become huge public talking points.
From actresses attending IPL matches to celebrities supporting teams publicly, fans frequently turn these appearances into dating rumours.
In Shehnaz Gill’s case, many fans defended her and argued that supporting a cricket team should not automatically lead to relationship speculation.
Current Status of the Rumours
As of now, there is no official confirmation that Shehnaz Gill and Devdutt Padikkal are dating.
Neither of them has released any statement regarding the rumours. The entire discussion is currently based on fan theories, viral videos, and social media reactions after the IPL match.
Whether the rumours are true or not, the discussion around Shehnaz Gill and Devdutt Padikkal reflects how relationship conversations in India are slowly changing.
Celebrity couples where the woman is older are becoming more visible than before. While society still debates such relationships, many people now believe that compatibility matters more than age.
Mansi Sharma is a journalist covering Global Affairs, and wellness, known for turning complex ideas into sharp, engaging narratives. Her work is driven by curiosity, depth, and a constant urge to question and explore. When she’s not writing, you’ll often find her diving into new ideas—preferably with a cup of coffee in hand, one sip at a time.