Manisha Koirala reacts to being age-shamed: I was secluded because of ageism

Actor Manisha Koirala recently spoke about the ageism prevalent in the Bollywood industry. She shared her experiences and highlighted the societal pressures faced by older actors.

In Short

• Manisha Koirala discussed ageism in Bollywood
• She shared that senior women actors face challenges due to age
• The actor called for substantial roles for older women

Actor Manisha Koirala recently opened up about her experiences with ageism in the film industry. In a candid conversation, she revealed that she often encounters remarks about her age, with people frequently telling her that she has become "buddhi" (old). This, she says, is a reflection of the industry's fixation on youth.

Koirala, who has had a successful career in Bollywood, discussed the challenges faced by senior women actors who are often sidelined due to their age. Speaking to Free Press Journal, the Heeramandi actor emphasised the need for a change in mindset and called for more substantial roles for older women in films. She highlighted how ageism is not just an issue in the entertainment industry, but a societal problem that needs to be addressed.

She said, "Whether in the industry or otherwise, ageing is an issue with women. We get shamed. I’ve never heard any troll telling a male figure that he’s become old. But a lot of women are trolled. It’s like looking down upon age. Ageism impacts women a lot more than it impacts men."

Recounting an experience where she felt excluded during a roundtable conversation, Manisha added, "I was sidelined by a certain group for a roundtable conversation. And the reason they gave me was, ‘Oh, it was about a certain age group’. I asked, ‘Okay, if the male colleague was also in the same age group, if my co-actor or older than me was part of the project, would he have done a good job? Would he also be secluded from the roundtable conversation?’ Not really. I have seen this in at least two to three roundtable conversations. I was secluded because of ageism. It does impact us. Suddenly, they don’t want to have older co-actors, but they do mind having apparently older actresses."

Discussing the misunderstandings people have with women actors who are above 50, Manisha said, "We need to be torch-bearers to show it to the world and to ourselves that, after 50, we can still rock. We can still lead a phenomenal life. We can still be good in our profession. We can still have a very happy, fulfilled and healthy life. As long as I’m alive, I want to work, and I want to be healthy. I want to look good and that’s my motto."

She continued to explain, "Lots of people think ‘Buddhi ho gayi hai, what kind of work can she do? ‘or ‘Let’s give her only a mother’s role or a sister’s role’. But women can do kick-ass roles. They can be badasses, full of life and fire. So many actresses before me have done that and I also want to do that. I still have fire in my belly. I still have a hunger to do more. I want to keep growing as an artist and age is just a number. 50 is just a number. And that won’t stop me. That shouldn’t stop anyone."

Manisha Koirala's Heeramandi is set against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement in the 1940s. It chronicles the lives of women in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore. Heeramandi also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Sharmin Sehgal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Richa Chadha, Taha Shah, and Aditi Rao Hydari.