Why Ageism Still Plagues Female Actors in the Entertainment Industry?

The entertainment industry has long been a male-dominated sphere, where sexism and ageism have persistently plagued the careers of female actors. Issues such as pay disparity, the longevity of careers, and the types of roles offered to actors are often skewed based on gender.

Male actors tend to enjoy longer careers compared to their female counterparts. Notable examples include Bollywood actors like Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, who continue to secure leading roles well into their fifties. In contrast, actresses who debuted alongside them often find themselves relegated to secondary or character roles, if they remain visar Zindegi.Well Salman can do movies with Pooja & Disha. Akshay can do movies with Pari,Disha,Manushi. But the negativity is for SRK only.And I think it is just a rumour https://t.co/hGy8Q5ZZky pic.twitter.com/JNhDcfaZGG

This phenomenon is not confined to Bollywood. The Telugu film industry also exhibits similar patterns. However, an exception was recently noted when actress Lakshmi Manchu, daughter of the renowned actor Mohan Babu, played a lead role opposite male actors younger by 5-7 years. When questioned about this, she remarked, “It’s a patriarchal society. The boys are the ones spending more to get out there. You are playing to the fantasy, I think. We as women, if we like one hero, for the rest of our life, we are with that one hero (as a fan). But, our boys are not like that. Whoever is the hottest heroine is their new favourite. So, I think it is about our (women) mentality of always being one hero’s fan. Even this is really difficult for women to think if you really think about it. That’s just my take on it.”

Despite occasional outcries from actresses, ageism remains largely unaddressed. On the other hand, newcomers like Manushi Chillar, who debuted opposite Akshay Kumar in "Samrat Prithviraj," seem more accepting of the status quo. Chillar commented, “Akshay Kumar is a superstar, and I want to work with him. For me, it doesn’t matter what his age is. I had fun working with him.”

Lakshmi Manchu 🤍🥰#LakshmiManchu pic.twitter.com/LrhkRxDHTp

— WV (@Weekendvibes_) July 11, 2024

While it is understandable that emerging actors have limited choices and often must work with whoever is offered to them, it raises a significant question. Why do creatives and producers, aware that the age difference between lead actors can negatively impact a film’s commercial success and critical acclaim, continue to make such casting decisions? When contemporaries like Tabu and Ajay Devgn are cast opposite each other in "Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha," which should be a norm, it is often questioned and termed an exception.

- PTC PUNJABI