Ratna Pathak Shah on Age Gap in Film: Embarrassment in Senior Male Actors Romancing Young Heroines
Ratna Pathak Shah criticized the onscreen age gap between senior male actors and younger heroines. She promotes her upcoming film, Dhak Dhak, India's first female road trip movie.
Ratna Pathak Shah criticizes senior male actors romancing much younger heroines on screen, deeming it embarrassing. She’s promoting Dhak Dhak, India’s first female road trip film.
Ratna Pathak Shah, a renowned Indian actress, has brought attention to a significant issue in the film industry – the onscreen age gap between male and female actors. In an interview with India Today, she expressed her concerns about senior male actors romancing much younger heroines on screen.
Ratna Pathak Shah recounted a scene from the film The Dirty Picture in which her husband, Naseeruddin Shah, played a senior actor who jokingly declares academic success as if he were a college student. This scene, meant to be humorous, actually reflects a reality where older actors often pair with actresses of their daughters’ age. She criticized this practice, saying, Unko sharam nahi aati to mai kya bolun? which translates to What can I say when they do not feel ashamed romancing women their daughters’ age? She finds it embarrassing and rightfully so.
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When Dia Mirza, who was also part of the interview, suggested that women should be allowed to play similar roles, Ratna shrugged off the idea of a competition, emphasizing that the core issue lies in the double standards regarding age gaps in romantic pairings on screen.
Amid this discussion, Ratna and Dia were promoting their upcoming film, Dhak Dhak, set to release in theatres. This film, touted as India’s first female road trip movie, features Ratna as Biker Nani, embarking on a journey to Ladakh’s Khardung-La pass, the world’s highest motorable road. Dhak Dhak also stars Sanjana Sanghi and Fatima Sana Shaikh and is directed by Tarun Dudeja, who co-wrote it with Parijat Joshi. Viacom18 Studios and Taapsee Pannu and Pranjal Khandhdiya’s Outsider Films have jointly produced the film.
Ratna Pathak Shah’s outspoken commentary on the age gap issue in films sheds light on an ongoing problem within the industry. Her new film, Dhak Dhak, represents a step towards diverse and compelling roles for women in Indian cinema, showcasing the transformation of her character into Biker Nani on a thrilling journey to Ladakh’s stunning landscapes.
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