The glittering world of Bollywood often faces criticism for the expectations it places on its female stars, and veteran actress and producer Dia Mirza has been one of the clearest voices speaking out against a fundamental problem: ageism. This isn’t just about getting older; it’s about a deep-seated, unfair double standard where women’s careers are penalized for the natural process of aging, while their male counterparts continue to thrive. Mirza’s statement sheds light on how the industry systematically sidelines talented women once they cross a certain age, fundamentally limiting their professional lifespan and opportunities.
At the heart of Mirza’s argument is the glaring contrast between how the industry treats aging actresses versus aging actors. She has pointed out that once a female actor reaches her late thirties or early forties, the variety and quality of the roles offered to her drastically decline. Suddenly, the focus shifts away from her as a romantic lead or a central figure.
Actresses often find themselves relegated to secondary roles, usually playing a mother, an older sister, or a supporting character, regardless of how successful or talented they are.
In stark comparison, male actors of the same age—or often much older—are still cast as the main heroes. They continue to romance much younger female stars, and their aging features are frequently lauded as adding “gravitas” or “character.” This disparity is the core of the ageism issue. It suggests that a man’s value in cinema increases with experience and age, while a woman’s value is intrinsically tied to her perceived youth and conventional appearance.
Mirza believes this issue is rooted in how stories are written and who is controlling the narrative. Bollywood has traditionally struggled to write complex, meaningful roles for women over the age of 35 that are not centered solely on motherhood or domesticity. The industry’s obsession with youth means that producers and writers often default to storylines featuring young couples, leaving mature, capable actresses with few options.
She has expressed frustration over the fact that many talented actresses who are still at the peak of their abilities are left with a sparse pool of roles simply because the industry is not willing to move past a certain visual standard. This means that a lot of talent and experience is going to waste, and cinema is missing out on authentic, rich stories that could be told through the lens of a mature woman.
While Mirza’s critique is sharp and necessary, she has also acknowledged that times are slowly changing, thanks in part to the rise of Over-The-Top platforms or streaming services. These platforms, less constrained by the traditional box office demands and star image systems, have shown a greater willingness to invest in diverse and age-appropriate content. To know such updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
