Age, status no bar in Bollywood!

Actor Kareena Kapoor’s most recent release Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu had her play a character that was older to that of her co-star Imran Khan. More recently, Amy Jackson’s character in Ekk Deewana Tha too was older by a year to her hero Prateik’s character. And the easy acceptance of the heroine being older than the hero on screen, without any eyebrows being raised at the age difference on screen and off it, is an encouraging sign for cinema here, feels trade and the industry at large.

“In Bollywood, these things have either been tackled as issues or made out to be one. But never before have they been shown to be non-issues like in these recent releases, quite unlike when Farhan Akhtar had taken it up in his film Dil Chahta Hai, showing Akshaye Khanna falling for an older Dimple Kapadia. The subject being taken like it’s the most natural way to be are strong indications that somewhere the audience has matured to not let such matters really matter. This is automatically a sign that while the filmmakers are pushing the boundaries, the audience too is ready to welcome the change” says trade analyst Komal Nahta.

 “Why only age, Bipasha Basu’s character in Jodi Breakers openly declares that people should have the chance to break out of an unhappy marriage to find love again, while R Madahavan’s character is a divorcee. Even Vidya Balan is playing a pregnant character all through Kahaani. When has the industry seen so many onscreen characters break the stereotyped images and yet be easily accepted?” quips Nahta.

“A lot has to do with the exposure people have today. Cinema goers want more than just candy-floss on screen. They want a slice of real life, yet be entertained, so it’s important to not get preachy about it and treat them like they are non-issues. Just like these things are becoming acceptable in society, films too are reflecting the same mood and projecting the same contemporary stories on screen,” says filmmaker Milan Luthria.

Bipasha feels that the fact that these days there are a lot of younger filmmakers who have their finger on the pulse of today’s contemporary society coming into the industry that’s making a huge change. “They know that these topics are not taboo anymore and are not afraid to show that through their work. Also the portrayal of women is getting a dash of reality, and it’s a good sign to see the audience accept it with open arms,” says the star.