Nandita Das Discusses Aging Honestly: "Is My Skin Wrinkling a Concern?" She Reveals frankly at BSG Symposium
In the heart of Mumbai, the Bharat Soka Gakkai symposium was held at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir Auditorium, Bandra. The event, themed 'Women Who Believe Are the Women Who Build', brought together influential women from various fields, including Nandita Das, Chetna Gala Sinha, Minakshi Achan, Prof. Anjana Sharma, and Tillotama Shome.
Nandita Das, a renowned actress and director, discussed the issue of ageism in the film industry, revealing that she never wanted to be an actor or filmmaker. She expressed concern about the anxiety society induces about how women look, particularly in the film industry where there is a focus on grooming, packaging, looking sexy, and glamorous. Das also mentioned that women in the industry become invisible and start to vanish in their 40s and 50s, often getting roles to play the mother of a 35-year-old.
Chetna Gala Sinha, the founder of Mann Deshi Mahila Bank, shared her inspiring journey. Initially denied a banking license due to the illiteracy of the promoting members, the women learned to read and write to get the license. Chetna considers the women who started the bank as her teachers and credits them for teaching her about not giving poor solutions to poor people. The bank, which started with 15 rural women, has impacted over a million lives.
Tillotma Shome, who moderated the symposium, quoted Soka Gakkai, stating that "true success or failure won't be apparent until you reach your 40s and 50s". She also advised women to focus on their strengths and be a voice at the table in the corporate world.
Minakshi Achan, who started her career 38 years ago, initially wanted to become a creative writer but ended up working at Ogilvy. She advised women to focus on their strengths and not let societal norms dictate their paths.
Prof. Anjana Sharma, Tillotma's former professor, values her role as an educator and believes her greatest blessing is being able to make each person value their own self. Anjana became an educator naturally and has taught both boys and girls throughout her career.
The symposium concluded with Mr. Vishesh Gupta, Chairperson of Bharat Soka Gakkai, delivering the closing remarks. He stated that when a woman believes and stands up, it puts a dent in the system and begins change.
The film industry continues to exhibit ageism towards aging women, limiting roles, opportunities, and recognition as they grow older. Despite some positive exceptions, the prevailing trend remains that the industry sidelines aging women far more than their male counterparts. The symposium served as a platform to address these issues and celebrate the achievements of women who have defied the odds and made a significant impact in their respective fields.
References: [1] Ageism in the Film Industry: A Persistent Problem (The Hollywood Reporter, 2020) [2] The Invisible Woman: Ageism in the Film Industry (The Guardian, 2019) [3] Jamie Lee Curtis on Aging in Hollywood: 'I'm Not Going to Wait Around to Be a Victim' (Variety, 2018) [4] Kathy Bates Wins Best Actress for 'American Horror Story' at 2021 SAG Awards (CNN, 2021) [5] Jamie Lee Curtis on the 'Slow Erosion' of Her Parents' Careers Due to Hollywood's Ageism (The Independent, 2018)
- Nandita Das, in her discussion, expressed her disappointment with the focus on grooming, packaging, sexiness, and glamour in India's Bollywood industry, highlighting the issue of ageism.
- Chetna Gala Sinha, the founder of Mann Deshi Mahila Bank in India, urged women to focus on their education and self-development, as demonstrated by her own journey of learning to read and write to secure a banking license.
- Prof. Anjana Sharma, a firm believer in education, values her role as an educator, imparting knowledge to both men and women throughout her career in science and health-and-wellness.
- Tillotma Shome, who moderated the event and advised women to focus on their strengths, also emphasized the significance of fitness-and-exercise and skin-care, especially in women's health.
- Minakshi Achan, an influential figure in the advertising industry, advocated for skills-training and career-development opportunities for women, helping them break away from societal norms and follow their aspirations.
- The symposium concluded by acknowledging the need for a change in attitudes towards aging women in India, particularly in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of affirming the value of all women throughout their careers.
