Big, Bold, And Badass! 'Fabulous Over Forty' Menopause Wellness Festival Flags Off

The wait is over! The Fabulous Over Forty wellness festival is officially underway at The Lalit in Mumbai. The energy is absolutely electric as women from across the world come together to celebrate midlife, strength, science, and self-care like never before. Curated by SheThePeople and Gytree, it is India’s boldest summit, designed to empower women to embrace this transformative stage of life with joy, sisterhood, boldness, and style. Because why should menopause mean a pause on fun?

For the 35 and curious, the 45 and adjusting, or the 52 and searching for clarity, the Fabulous Over Forty festival is an invitation to be part of a community that celebrates midlife in all its power and potential. It's a full-day event featuring candid conversations with influential figures, such as actors Dia Mirza and Tisca Chopra, discussions with experts like Dr Nozer Sheriar and Nicole Linhares Kedia, and hands-on wellness workshops like face yoga and a power lunch.

Beyond the clinical jargon and snoozy lectures, Fabulous Over Forty spotlights menopause with raw stories, unapologetic conversations, expert discussions, and immersive experiences that make real women in midlife feel seen and heard.

“For too long, menopause has been left out of public health conversations. We want to bring it out of the shadows and into the spotlight — not just as a health issue, but as a life stage full of power, potential, and purpose,” saysShaili Chopra, Founder of Gytree & SheThePeople. 

In her introduction speech, Shaili expressed, "The spirit of give and take should really be the spirit of this festival today... We've set up this entire power-packed course for you to get lots of voices, different perspectives, so that people can think of women in different life stages differently."

What's In Store?

Menopause stories and experiences from celebrities and real women alike. 

In a front-row dialogue powered by Gytree, actor Dia Mirza and filmmaker Sakshi Malik engaged in a conversation with Shaili Chopra, exploring how women’s stories, when told authentically, can shape culture and community. Mirza praised Shaili for putting together the festival and amplifying stories of women in midlife.

"I want to acknowledge how amazing you are for bringing all these women together and having this conversation. I feel it is so important to put a spotlight on how fabulous women truly are, under and over forty!" she expressed. 

The actress also spoke about how far the entertainment industry has come in female representation beyond pigeonhole roles. "I started working in cinema at a time when the only women on a film set were the lead actress, her assistants, a hairdresser, maybe dancers. The predominant voice on film sets was male," she recounted. 

"But what has truly brought a shift in not just the way we're viewing women on screen but also being them off-screen. That perception has been built meticulously by the increased number of women on the crew. We have more women writers, directors, producers, editors, etc."

In another fireside chat, actors Tisca Chopra and Juhi Babbar speak with Shaili Chopra about midlife experiences like change, cycles, pauses, and powerful restarts of the female body. 

Industry experts discuss "the pause"

In a panel called 'The Science of Her', wellness professionals, including gynaecologist Dr.Sudeshna Ray, nutritionist and author Shonali Sabherwal, radiologist and menopause expert Dr Sheetal Gagrani, and sexual health coach Pallavi Barnwal speak to journalist and entrepreneur Mugdha Kalra about the medical truths of midlife and beyond. 

A session called 'M-Brace', with Nawaz Modi Singhania, Fitness Entrepreneur; Dr. Nozer Sheriar, Menopause Expert; and Dr. Rohita Shetty, Medical Affairs Head, Abbott India, aims to bring menopause conversations beyond the 'hush hush.'

In a panel called 'The Beauty Code', Nicole Kedia, Nutritionist & health coach; Jaishree Sharad, Cosmetic Dermatologist; Namrata Soni, Celebrity makeup artist and co-founder Simply Nam Beauty; and Rohit Khilnani, Veteran Journalist discuss what strength, stamina, and nourishment mean beyond trends, aesthetics, and timelines.

Celebrating impact

In another panel, Shivani Malik, Director Marketing, Da Milano; Roopa Kudva, Former Head, Crisil & Omidyar Network India; Mukeeta Jhaveri, Director, UTI Mutual Fund Trustee Company & St. Jude India Childcare; and Swati Sapna, Director- unscripted series, Netflix speak with Sandeep Bhushan, Board Member, Advisor & Former Business Head, Meta India, about the future of the health economy.

Many times, compelling chapters are written in this phase of life. Chhavi Mittal, Cancer Survivor & Creator; Renu Rakheja, Nutritionist Influencer; Shazia Iqbal, Film Director; and Kavyal Sedanni, Psycho spiritual healer, speak to author Sudha Menon about how women are redefining influence. 

In a dynamic conversation with Dianna Moore, Faculty, Harvard University; Bianca Best, Author & Coach; Dipika Trehan, TEDx Speaker & Leadership Mentor; Shaili Chopra, Founder, Gytree & SheThePeople; and India Gary Martin, Founder of ACT3 discuss the interconnected realities of caretaking, career transitions, relationships, financial fitness, wisdom, shifting priorities, and health.

Interactive experiences

The Fabulous Over Forty festival also brings immersive and engaging sessions like a 30-minute Face Yoga Flow session by Savitu Singh, specifically designed for women in their 40s and beyond. Simple, effective face yoga techniques, combined with mindful skincare, this session aims to reduce tension, rejuvenate the skin, and empower you to look and feel your best.

In a power lunch with Dimple Bawri, founder, nirā balance, we deep dive into what it really takes to support women’s bodies through nutrition, science, and seasonality.

Apart from this, contemporary artist Ruchita Dar Shah performs a stand-up act called 'Ek Perimenopausal Nari Hain Hum', blending authenticity, humour, and relatability to celebrate the ups, downs, and everything in between of midlife.

Menopause no longer a taboo

As the day unfolds at Fabulous Over Forty, it’s clear that menopause is no longer a whispered topic; it’s a movement, a community, and a transformative phase of life. For every woman, whether learning, adjusting, exhausted, or embracing the journey fully, the festival is a reminder that midlife can be a powerful chapter waiting to be owned.