When male actors are celebrated and admired regardless of their age, why are female actors being trolled at the slightest sign of aging? Quite recently, Nayanthara was brutally trolled for her look in her new film, Connect. Several netizens expressed shock and posted ruthless comments on social media. However, her fans came to her defense. Nayanthara, who is also referred to as "Lady Superstar," is completing 20 years of working in the film industry. She is one of the most successful female actors in South India. It was she who pioneered women-centric films in cinema and paved the way for other female actors in the industry. How is it fair to dismiss all these achievements just because she is aging? How is it fair to any female actor to be trivialised just because they are aging?
Gender stereotyping and gender inequality run deeply in the Indian film industry. In all other professions except cinema, the retirement age is the same for both men and women. It is an unsaid rule that women either stop acting after a certain age or only play insignificant roles. Female actors after a certain age, after marriage, or after motherhood usually get to play the hero’s mother, sister, aunt, etc. How is that a fair representation of women in cinema? Isn’t it unfair and disrespectful to their talent?
Female Actors Trolled for Aging
While female actors have a shelf life of 35 years, male actors continue to play the protagonists and romance women who are half their age. Age has never been a drawback for male actors. They are worshipped and lauded for their acting, screen presence, physique, and dancing skills. While marriage or motherhood often puts an end to female actors’ careers, it is never a barrier for male actors. Even if female actors are equally talented, they have to strive so hard to stay in the film industry after their mid-30s. Nayanthara is one of the very few female stars in India who has sustained her top spot in the industry.
Just because female actors cross a certain age, get married, or become parents, their accomplishments and talent don't diminish. What if they have a few wrinkles here and there? Doesn't it happen to male actors as well? It's a well-known fact that both male and female actors workout, follow diets, wear makeup, and go through cosmetic procedures. Isn’t that how it works? So why the disparity between male and female actors? If Superstar can be a doting grandfather and continue playing the protagonist, why can’t Lady Superstar be a mother and continue her career?
Just like men, women have toiled hard to establish themselves as accomplished actors. They have carved a niche for themselves in the industry after years of determination, dedication, and hard work. The film industry and society need to understand that it is unfair to rob them of it all just because of insensible social standards.
Age, marital status, or motherhood can no longer be a criterion when women possess talent and a willingness to work. With female stars like Nayanthara and Trisha Krishnan working in the industry for 20 years, we can see that this changes the narrative that the heyday of female actors in the industry comes with an expiry date. It is still a work in progress, but it provides a ray of hope for female actors in India. We are living in an era where the Miss Universe Pageant has opened its doors to all women, regardless of their marital or parental status, starting in 2023. Isn't it time to break the conventional mindset, gender inequality, and stereotypes in cinema and society as well?
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