The double onslaught of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the competition from over the top platforms spells the urgent need for Bollywood to offer hits. This is necessary for the industry to reiterate its position as the nation's primary mode of entertainment.

What renders the situation complicated is the changing glamour scenario as established names, which drew crowds earlier, no longer automatically guarantee blockbuster returns. That said, the new and upcoming names are too fresh to be tested.

This has made producers to announce projects which reflect a mix of old and new when it comes to pairing stars. So, Akshay Kumar is cast with a whole new set of actresses in his upcoming films — from Sara Ali Khan in Atrangi Re to Vaani Kapoor in Bell Bottom to Manushi Chhillar in Prithviraj. Deepika Padukone has been cast with Siddhant Chaturvedi in her untitled next while Katrina Kaif was signed up with Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi in Phone Bhooth. These are but just a few examples.

Here are some of the interesting pairs.

Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan

Gen-Next star Sara Ali Khan is just three years old in the industry and is all set to star opposite superstar Akshay Kumar, who has been in Bollywood for 34 years. The two will be seen in Atrangi Re, and this will be the first time the 25-year-old actress and the 53-year-old actor will be seen sharing screen space. The film also features Dhanush.

Farhan Akhtar and Mrunal Thakur

Mrunal, 28, is paired opposite Farhan, 47, in the upcoming sports drama Toofan. In the film, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Farhan will be essaying the role of a boxer.

Katrina Kaif with Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi

Ishaan Khatter, 25 and Siddhant Chaturvedi, 27, join Katrina Kaif, 37, to spook the audience in their upcoming horror comedy Phone Bhoot, which can be tagged as an Indian version of sorts of Ghostbusters. This will be the first time Katrina will be seen with Ishaan and Siddhant.

Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar

Former beauty queen Manushi Chhillar is cast as Sanyogita opposite Akshay Kumar's Prithviraj in the upcoming period drama. The 23-year-old Manushi will be seen playing the love interest of Akshay in the film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, which is slated to hit the screens on November 5.

Deepika Padukone with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday

Shakun Batra's upcoming and untitled film casts the seasoned superstar Deepika with Gen-Now actor Siddhant and Ananya. Details of the film, a relationship drama, are yet to be revealed.

(With inputs from IANS)