Bollywood actor and producer Dia Mirza has reignited a crucial industry debate, taking a firm stand against ageism and entrenched gender inequality in Hindi cinema. Speaking at the prominent We The Women 2025 forum, curated by veteran journalist Barkha Dutt, Mirza highlighted the stark disparity in how male and female actors are treated as they age.
"Women Quietly Disappear": Mirza's Stark Observation
Mirza pointedly questioned the prevailing norm where women actors often fade from mainstream roles as they grow older, while their male counterparts continue to headline romantic films well into their 60s and 70s. Drawing from her personal experience, the actor, known for films like Nadaaniyan, provided a concrete example of this bias.
"I find it interesting that I'm cast opposite actors in their late 50s, 60s, and even 70s, and we're meant to be seen as romantic equals on screen," she stated. She emphasized that the reverse scenario—pairing a leading man in his 40s with a female lead in her 60s or 70s—remains virtually unthinkable for Bollywood filmmakers.
Mirza clarified that the issue is not about men ageing gracefully on screen, but rather about the systematic erasure of women. "It's about women being denied the right to age with visibility, dignity and complexity on screen," she asserted. The industry, she argued, still fails to envision older women as desirable, complex, or central to a narrative.
Reclaiming the Narrative: Women in Their "Power Years"
Challenging the notion of an expiry date for actresses, Dia Mirza reframed the conversation around empowerment. She described women over the age of 40 as being in their "power years," full of experience and depth.
In a powerful declaration of self-determination, she added, "I don't believe anyone gets to decide when a woman peaks, when she becomes irrelevant, or when her story ends. We decide that for ourselves. Always." This statement serves as a rallying cry for greater creative agency and longevity for women in the entertainment industry.
Beyond Bollywood: Championing Environmental Stories
Mirza's advocacy extends beyond gender parity. Her commitment to meaningful storytelling is reflected in her latest production, Panha, a Marathi short film. The project has been selected for a premiere at The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF).
The film tells the poignant story of a young boy whose family's mango orchard is threatened by a high-speed bullet train project, mirroring real-world tensions between development and ecological preservation.
Notably, Panha will be showcased alongside filmmaker Kiran Rao's Humans in the Loop, a documentary that examines the confluence of artificial intelligence and indigenous knowledge systems. Rao described her film as a reminder that "technology should serve humanity, not the other way around."
Anaka, the programming director for ALT EFF, praised both selections, noting that they present urgent and thought-provoking narratives anchored in empathy and a strong environmental consciousness.
Through her candid critique of Bollywood's ageism and her support for impactful cinema, Dia Mirza continues to use her platform to push for a more equitable and thoughtful creative landscape.
