Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Lara Dutta, Aishwarya Rai, and Raveena Tandon are some of the brilliant actors who have entertained us with their power-packed performances back in the 90s. But over time, these actors went missing from the movie space due to reasons best known to them.
Well, the good news is, our fav actors are again taking over the digital space and for good. However, after a long sabbatical, their return is met with a lot of criticism, questioning their credibility.
Recently in an interview, ‘Andaaz’ actor Lara Dutta shared how the industry is not kind to female actors who are older.
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Hindustan Times quoted the 43-year-old actor saying, “I’ll admit that the industry is not kind to you and it doesn’t allow women to age gracefully. You have credible actors like Kajol, Madhuri (Dixit), Rani (Mukerji), and in that matter, even me, yet when they come on screen, people pass comments like ‘ab buddhi lagne lagi hai’ (Now she has started looking old)’ or ‘yaar ab moti ho gai hai’ (She is fat now),’ and at the end of the day, you can’t help it.”
“Like everyone else, even we are ageing. I feel even the audience does not allow the liberty for actors to age gracefully, but I genuinely believe that actors who have come before us are rewriting roles for us. Look at Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, they just inspire us. They are doing incredible work.”
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However, she added that working in her 40s has made her liberated. “Honestly, as an actor, I feel age has liberated me.”
“It’s finally cut me free from people’s expectations of wanting me to fill in the glamorous roles because I am the former Miss Universe. I feel coming in my 40s is the best time for me as an actor. Now, people are looking at my capabilities and talent. The kind of roles I am playing has depth.”
IMO, age doesn’t define our capabilities. And as she rightly said, like everyone else, they are also ageing. Shouldn’t we just focus on a person’s talent rather than their age?