Just recently, Bollywood actress Lara Dutta said in an interview that actresses are often shamed for their age.
“I admit the industry is not being nice to you and not allowing women to age gracefully.”
Veteran actor Sharat Saxena had also said it was a crime to be an old man in Bollywood, pointing out that ageism in Bollywood was a threat that had plagued her for ages.
Recently, a Twitter user unearthed a magazine cover from 1984 that questioned actress Rekha’s career in the film industry past her 30s.
SPEAKING ABOUT REKHA (as we always should be): the gall of this 1984 cover text. Luckily, her expression says exactly where they can all go. pic.twitter.com/NgebiCoNrB
— Beth loves Bollywood (@bethlovesbolly) March 18, 2021
Obviously people then (and still) did not recognize the fact that aging is a natural process and certainly does not define a person’s caliber and abilities. The Indian film industry believed that a woman’s career came to an end as soon as she passed 30.
Reacting to the tweet, people commented that older women weren’t getting opportunities and were being quickly replaced by younger actresses.
I saw a magazine article from the late 90s that said “desperately trying to look young” and there was a picture of Madhuri Dixit. These people are the worst. I still can’t believe Rakhee played AB’s love interest for Kaala Patthar and her mother in Shakti.
— Rajat Dikshit (@rajatistheman) March 18, 2021
Waheeda Rehman played Amitabh Bachchan’s love interest and mother too! Two years apart. Ageism is frustrating.
— Maanvi (@Maanvi2501) March 18, 2021
The Indian film industry was and still is ageist and sexist. The scripts were written with this in mind. It was only after Amitabh began to visibly age that a change came about in storytelling, for the better.
I think Rekha did her best job after her 30s, tbh
– GirlOfFire (@GirlOfFire01) March 18, 2021
And I’m sure even today women are scared of turning 30 in the industry as they see girls in their early twenties coming onto the scene. Fortunately, things have changed as we now see actresses even in their mid-30s getting lead roles. But it surely tells us why most actresses also lie about their age.
—Mitra Joshi (@mitrajo) March 18, 2021
But as someone rightly pointed out, things are changing for good. However, with 24-year-old actresses alongside 54-year-old actors, we still have a long way to go.