There’s no ageism in Bollywood: Kajol

Actor lists many older actors still working

 

Kajol has been a part of the Indian film industry for nearly 30 years. But if you ask her about ageism in Bollywood, she would highlight plenty of instances wherein female actors were not discriminated against because of their ages.

 

“The reality is that we had Sharmila Tagore, Sadhna and Nargis Dutt, who were working way after getting married; like in their 40s. Yes, today, the time is such that everybody has a binocular view on it. Today, we are suddenly looking at things which we never noticed before. But this was all happening earlier as well. Even my mother (Tanuja) never stopped working,” the Dilwale star told Hindustan Times recently.

Kajol pinpointed many other older actors who are still working. “I am here and I am working. I am very proud of it. I don’t see ageism in Bollywood. I never did. I think it is in your head. It is just a matter of ‘Do you believe that you are too old for this? Or do you believe that you cannot carry it off? If Aamir Khan, at the age of 40, can do 3 Idiots and play a college student, why can’t I? He believed he could…” she said.

 

The 90s icon firmly believes that if you don’t give in to what the people think, things do work out. “It is more that people have convinced you what you can do and what you can’t. I have honestly never believed in anyone else’s opinion besides myself, so that is good,” she added.

 

From the classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to her most recent release Tribhanga, Kajol is an ever-lasting icon. As for the latter, she highlighted how she merged her own character with the role of Anu.

“Anu’s character is much more than a star. That’s just a part of who is she is. The film is about relationships between mothers and daughters and how everybody is screwed up. There is no perfect family in this world,” shared the actor.

Concluding on the lessons in the film, Kajol said, “You think you are the only person going through something in the world but when you open up, you realise that that person is also in the same boat as you. That is what the film highlighted.”