Is Indian film industry sexist? Karan Johar has a reply…

Karan Johar’s recent venture ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ has garnered praises from all corners. Apart from the story, something that caught everyone’s attention was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s pairing with a young actor, Ranbir Kapoor. It’s quite common that an actor aged 50 plus gets cast opposite an actress in her late 20s in Bollywood and people willingly accept it. But then, hardly are there instances where an older actress is cast opposite a young actor. Hence, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, was special. So of course, there is no denial that Bollywood is a bit sexist and Karan Johar agrees to it too.

In a recent interview with a leading tabloid, KJo spoke at length about this disparity that exists in Bollywood. When asked whether he feels that Bollywood is highly sexist, he said, “It is, but it is also true that men command more money at the box office. A Salman film will open to Rs 30 crore and no matter which leading actress you take they will not cross a certain number. That power comes from the audience. So blame it on the audience.”

When probed on why older actors get to play boyfriends and husbands opposite young actresses in the film, he says, “Because we have such few megastars and nobody in India wants to give women stronger roles once they cross a certain age even if they are big stars. I’d like to work with women of all ages depending on the role, but somehow you land up just not casting women in their 30s with men in their 40s. It’s very commercially calculated. Invariably the top movie actresses are in their late 20s, the superstars are now in their 50s, and the project becomes more viable when they are together. It’s accepted in India. Not just in Bollywood, even down South.

It can all change though because cinema is evolving, so people are also casting as per the role. Aamir’s wife in ‘Dangal’ played by Sakshi Tanwar who’s not that young and is from television, not even a leading actress. Simultaneously of course there’s Anushka with Salman (in ‘Sultan’). So the change is in baby steps.”

Well, good to know that at least someone acknowledges that Bollywood is sexist. But there is still some hope…

Nikita Thakkar

A strongly opinionated, free-spirited, budding Bollywood journalist, she likes to write anything in her own quirky style. When not running around to get assigned tasks completed, you will find her either painting, indulging in photography or dreaming in the la la land.