Monday, May 21, 2012

Older women heroines in Bollywood?

Have you noticed any? If you have, are they the rule or the exception?

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Whether in Bollywood or in real life, it is the young and the beautiful who are the focus of everyone's attention. They are in their prime. They are the healthiest they will ever be for the rest of their lives. They have this incredible energy. They look the best they ever will and their joints don't creak. They haven't grown up enough to realise they aren't the centre of the universe. They are still convinced the world revolves around them.  Youngsters are a curious mix of street savvy, worldly wisdom and idealism which makes us admire them, feel exasperated and at the same time, often ache for their vulnerability.

Take older women, on the other hand. Till not too long ago they were busy being parent, mother, cook and grandmother. They were housebound and used to playing second fiddle. Some of them even had short careers which they gave up after marriage. If they continued with their careers it was at the risk of being judged harshly by society. The verdict was clear. Women wanting to be out amongst their own peers, doing things they enjoyed or earning an income and not slaving at home exclusively for husband and children 24/7 (even if said husband and kids weren't home for 10 of those 24 hours) was very odd behaviour and utterly selfish. That is what television and movies seemed to suggest too. It didn’t matter that the woman who played the typical sacrificial sati savitri on screen might be an alcoholic in real life or that she had a good head on her shoulders when it came to demanding a fee (as she should) for her role. She was venerated for her role and her real life persona was well hidden from public scrutiny. She was held up as an example for women to emulate. Just like those larger than life figures on screen, women were expected to contribute by running a home. They were forced to ignore their need to be out and about amongst peers, ignore the grey matter they were born with and ignore their need to feel self sufficient. Perhaps the poor were the exception as they were driven by other compulsions and needs. 

That was then.

Today more women than ever before are in every field imaginable, contributing as much as men. Take the movies for example. Not only are women actors, they are also scene writers, directors, camerapersons, producers, distributors, editors, studio managers, research experts, location seekers and casting directors. Or they might own actor and actress agencies who supply these artistes to various producers and directors of the hundreds of movies produced each year in Bollywood.

Some women have welcomed the opportunities that have opened up for them eagerly. Yet others are perfectly happy being housewives and have no desire to change the status quo. What's different is that they have the choice. The decision is theirs.

Women who’ve occupied challenging roles in the past have done so, quite often, in spite of having no role models to look up to. The lucky ones have had men who are experienced in the fields they'd like to pursue, help them. I know of a woman who knows the workings of a cycle inside out. She learnt her skill thanks to help from men who learnt such skills from other men as women weren’t, in those days, allowed to have such skills. It was "no job for a woman" and so, no woman had ever thought of being a “cycologist” before.

But often, that hasn’t been the case. Men haven’t been forthcoming for various reasons. Some have felt threatened or insecure. Others have felt pressure from society to get their women to conform to their traditional roles. Whatever the reason, some men have tried to thwart women from reaching their highest potential in roles that were previously considered only for men.

Some women have felt intimidated by these opportunities. Yet others have felt the pressure to confirm to what others believe they should be. Yet others feel they would make a hash of things and are better off wherever they've always been. Whether women have availed of the opportunities that have opened up or not, the mix of compulsions that drove their lives have resulted in the next stage in growth.

The ones who took up the challenges are now able to use many skills to feel fulfilled. Many have an independent income and are capable of supporting themselves. They know how to look after their own finances and their own health. They are not beholden to or dependent on men and have meaningful and rewarding relationships which they enter into only because they really want to. They pick their partners with care - someone who believes in mutual support and understanding; someone who is their best friend just as they are his. They not only have the freedom to be whatever they choose to be, they have the resources. Having the ability to fulfil their own destiny and pursue their own happiness is empowering. This happens to young and old alike.

What's different is that the older women have the confidence to be comfortable with their looks, flaws and all. Their looks don't stop them from living life to the full. Best of all, they have wisdom gained from experience in more than one role. A hasty qualifier – there are always exceptions.

Now, thanks to millions of women in the work force or at home by choice, there are enough role models for the younger ones. They might feel the pressures to conform to what their own families expect of them but they have enough women who have preceded them into different and varied roles whose examples they can uphold and say, “If she could do it and meet with success, if she is perfectly fulfilled and happy, why not I?” The fear of the unknown put into them by others for whatever reasons is easily countered as there are enough brave and confident women who’ve preceded them, who've dared to forge a new path for themselves and come out not only unscathed but also, successful.

If someone had to ask me why older women aren't heroines in Bollywood I would have to say perhaps their time hasn't come and who knows perhaps it will. But in the mean time, they will not only continue playing the anti-heroines, the cruel mothers-in-law or other supporting roles, they will have paved the way for younger women to play a multitude of roles outside their homes with confidence in their creative flair and abilities. To my mind, that is the biggest and most important role they have played. To date.

Isn't that enough grist for the mill, movie makers?

22 comments:

  1. Kayem, I feel that younger generation of women are far more intelligent and forthcoming and with changes of time have managed to align themselves very well with changing circumstances and needs !

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    1. Too true, Rahul and more power to them. They are reaping the benefits of what the older generation of women went through while trying to overcome the status quo and giving themselves more life choices.

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  2. Interesting post. The trends are changing even in bollywood but yes, not completely old women oriented movies are being taken up... but I hope as in the other bastions, here too women will triumph.

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    1. I really look forward to that. If we applaud and celebrate successful older women, we break one more shackle and peal off one more layer of prejudice.

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  3. Women are getting a semblance, at least, of the equality that should never have been denied them in the first place. But...Bollywood! That will be a looong wait. Heroines are still mostly getting arm-candy roles and if equality is at all coming it is because the Heroes are getting beefcake roles and not because movies are becoming more intelligent.

    But some change has come. The age bar has been pushed thanks to fitness..and acting post-marriage has almost become the norm. So wait till meatier roles are available and older heroines shall be more common.

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    1. So right, CS - arm-candy and beefcake roles. Just one point though - "fitness" seems to suggest they aren't worthy unless they are physically perfect. Powerful stories, women and men of character, young and old, male and female - that is where I'd like us to be. Are you listening, Bollywood?

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  4. I would love to see older women playing meaningful roles too. Look at Judi Dench and other Hollywood heroines. We are transforming into mature film audience.And we do have a lot of older heroines waiting for such roles.

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    1. You are right, Zephyr. Indians are maturing into discerning, world class audiences. The older woman has played venerated Ma and cruel MIL roles for decades. Would love to see her in all her multi dimensional garbs as she is today.

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  5. Your arguments in the post about women then and women now was very good, but I sort of felt that the focus was diluted in the title. I have the least respect for Bollywood (or any other film industry of India) and hence irrespective of whether older women play significant roles in movies or not, I am sure they will play significant roles in most other areas in life. Which was, your conclusion too, I guess.

    Destination Infinity

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  6. For whatever it is worth DI, most people are influenced by films and TV in India. I believe older women can bring a degree of honesty and reality into that medium. They don't need physical beauty to resonate with their audience. They don't need to prance about with youngsters. To show what success and fulfilment means to individual older women would make for good viewing and would influence many people for the better, I think. (Ultimately it boils down to the skill of the author, the artiste etc. but you see the connection, I hope.)

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  7. Very well written article, KM. Yes, it's very heartening to see elder women break away from convention and participate in every aspect of film making (whether commercial or art).

    The scene of elder women playing supporting roles to younger ones is something common in males also. It's just the legendary ones (like AB Snr.) who can still play the lead now.

    Once again, great post :)

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    1. Thanks, VK. There's so much that is untapped and unique to india that would be fascinating to watch - like older women in main roles and hopefully, not trying to act young but mature, sensitive, astute, sensible... As for the great Bacchan, I agree he's good but a bit over exposed.

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  8. As compared to say a decade ago, I feel there is a slight change that we can see now. Say for instance, could we have imagined the kind of roles Vidya Balan, all of 34 is managing to snag despite it being a slim and sexy heroine era still. I think it will take a while for our films and society to carve out roles like Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep still get. But I'm optimistic. I see a change in the attitude of the younger men as compared to the more chauvinistic previous generation. So maybe there is somewhere a silver lining..:)

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    1. A very good actress, our Vidya Balan. As for older men being chauvinistic, I guess many of them were - a sign of their times? I'm optimistic too. Will be fascinating to watch what older women are capable of without the prejudices of the past holding them back.

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  9. Indians are youth fixated. And we have to put up with middle aged superstars, play college students and romance girls young enough to be their daughter. A heroine in her 30's is considered past her prime and is relegated to the sidelines.

    But like Deepthi said, there is a perceptible change. Heroines are being accepted for their talent rather than how they look. For actors like Konkona, Vidya, Shabana - age is just a number.

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    1. You've pointed out the disparity in thought very well. I'd forgive them if they could at least prance about with grace. And thank goodness for those ageless stars you mention. Just waiting for stories that deserve them.

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  10. lovely!! very well written...and i do see a point here :) ...you are right ... fortunately 30 has become yesteryear's 26 so some actresses are still ruling the cinema... some are brilliant dancers despite child birth and age..and thankfully as audience we are more matured and do realise that these people come with some sort of grace and control which only age can bestow upon you ... some of the movies (especially Rajat Kapoor and team) do a brilliant job breaking this "centre of world" beauty queen syndrome... lovely post!!

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    1. Rajat Kapoor and team - must remember that. Watched "I am" yesterday and "I am Kalam" last week. "I Am" was definitely new age cinema. The Kashmir story was touching and the actresses were brilliant. Kalam was about Rajasthan and friendship between two young boys - simply superb. So glad not everything is prances, jiggles and stereotypes. Thanks Flying High.

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  11. Some of our actresses of yesteryear are still so lovely and graceful... pity we don't make movies that give them a chance to play leading roles too.

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    1. I've always believed that our movie industry is progressive in thought. Having said that I accept that they must make something that rakes in the profits. They seem to believe this genre won't. Makes me pause and think on many fronts.

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  12. Unfortunately, our film industry is not making movies based on stories by good novelists. Hence there is paucity of thought and some ridiculous formula movies.
    Sabyasachi

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  13. I agree that to make formula films is unforgivable. Such a poor substitute for a unique storyline. Welcome to the blogging world - recording the wildlife of India before it disappears is both sad and noble. Hope you succeed in making the government sit up and listen.

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