“I’m Not Here to Please Anyone”: Ratna Pathak Shah on Ageing, Power, and Defiance in Bollywood
Ratna Pathak Shah speaks candidly about resisting ageism in Bollywood and embracing her evolving identity as a woman and actor in her 60s.
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A Voice of Grace and Grit: Ratna Pathak Shah on Navigating Age in Bollywood
Veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah, known for her razor-sharp performances and unapologetic candour, has never been one to conform. In an era when Bollywood continues to chase youth and glamour, Pathak Shah is quietly but powerfully rewriting the script for ageing women in Indian cinema.
At 67, the actor who immortalised Maya Sarabhai on television and brought gravitas to roles in films like Kapoor & Sons, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and Thappad, is as bold in her real-life opinions as she is nuanced in her on-screen characters.
In a recent panel discussion at the Mumbai Film Festival, Ratna spoke with clarity and conviction about the “ageist undercurrent” that still plagues Bollywood. “It’s like once a woman crosses 40, she’s either a mother or a grandmother. As if we lose our personality somewhere along the way,” she said, her words met with knowing laughter and applause.
The Beauty Myth and Bollywood’s Youth Obsession
For decades, mainstream Indian cinema has glorified youthful femininity—actors barely in their 20s are paired with heroes twice their age, and women are quietly phased out once they develop a wrinkle or a gray strand. Ratna Pathak Shah, however, has deliberately resisted cosmetic enhancement, choosing instead to age visibly and confidently.
“I don’t have anything against people who choose Botox or surgery. But I’ve never wanted to erase my history from my face,” she said. “Each line, each fold—it's my story. Why should I be ashamed of it?”
Her choice is radical in an industry where actresses are often pressured to look 'ageless', and where older female roles are scarce or written without depth. But Shah has, over time, carved out a space for herself where authenticity trumps convention.
Choosing Roles with Substance, Not Spotlight
In the last decade, Ratna Pathak Shah’s screen presence has matured into one of fierce integrity. While many actresses from her generation have faded into the background or taken up marginalised roles, Shah remains in demand—not because she adheres to trends, but because she commands respect with her skill and intelligence.
“I don’t need to be in every project,” she said. “I’d rather be in one that says something meaningful.”
Her characters have consistently challenged gender norms—whether it was the matriarch who refuses to be silenced in Thappad, or the unapologetically rebellious widow in Lipstick Under My Burkha. With each role, she shows that age doesn’t limit complexity; it enhances it.
Breaking the Stereotype: Women Over 60 Are Not Invisible
In Indian cinema, women over 60 are often relegated to emotional side roles, often defined by their relationships—“so-and-so’s mother,” “the worried wife,” or “the sacrificing grandmother.” Shah, however, rejects this one-dimensional treatment.
“Older women are not invisible,” she said during the interview. “We are not just sentimental props. We have our own desires, opinions, and flaws. It's time writers and directors start reflecting that on screen.”
This assertion finds support among newer filmmakers who are increasingly crafting female-led scripts that reflect real stories. Ratna’s work with young directors, especially female filmmakers, reflects this shift. “There’s a new crop of creators who want to show truth, not tropes. And that excites me,” she noted.
Society’s Mirror: How Bollywood Shapes Age Perception
Bollywood is not just entertainment; it's a cultural mirror that deeply influences how society views gender, beauty, and age. When veteran actresses are overlooked or sidelined, it sends a powerful message to women across India: you expire with age.
“Cinema has the power to either liberate or confine,” Shah said. “We must ask ourselves—what are we choosing?”
Her point resonates beyond Bollywood. Across Indian households, older women often find themselves silenced or dismissed, their value tied solely to caregiving roles. Ratna’s advocacy challenges this norm and urges women to see themselves not as expired, but evolving.
An Intergenerational Legacy of Rebellion
As the wife of actor Naseeruddin Shah and daughter of Dina Pathak—a renowned theatre artist and activist—Ratna Pathak Shah’s identity is steeped in legacy. But she has always defined herself on her own terms.
“I’m grateful for the strong women who came before me, but I’m not here to continue anyone’s tradition blindly. I’m here to question, to provoke, to live truthfully.”
She has passed this ethos on to her sons as well. Actor Imaad Shah once said in an interview, “My mother taught me that strength isn’t about volume. It’s about conviction.”
From Film Sets to Real Life: Living Without Apology
Ratna’s defiance doesn’t end at cinema. In public discourse, she’s become a rare voice of resistance—be it speaking on gender equality, censorship, nationalism, or social hypocrisy. Her words often spark debate, but she remains unflinching.
“I’m not here to please anyone. I’m here to live fully. That’s my rebellion,” she said.
When asked whether she ever feared being “cancelled” or sidelined, she laughed. “I’ve lived long enough to know that applause and silence come in cycles. I don’t live for either.”
The Path Ahead: Creating Space for the Next Generation
While she acknowledges some progress, Shah insists there’s much work to be done in making Indian cinema truly inclusive of all ages.
“We need more stories of middle-aged women who aren’t victims. More grandmothers who have agency. More women who find love, purpose, even rage, after 60. We exist. Our stories matter.”
She has also begun mentoring younger actors and writers, encouraging them to reject stereotypes early in their careers. “If you begin your journey chasing approval, you’ll never find your truth,” she advises them.
Conclusion: The Power of Staying Authentic
Ratna Pathak Shah is not just an actor. She is a movement in motion, one that challenges ageism, defies silence, and reclaims the narrative for Indian women who refuse to fade into the background.
Her journey reminds us that the strength of a woman does not diminish with age—it crystallizes. And in a film industry still catching up with this truth, she is both a disruptor and a lighthouse.
As Indian cinema evolves, Ratna’s voice rings out not as an echo of the past, but as a clarion call for the future—where ageing is not feared, but honoured, and where women, at every stage of life, are given the room to breathe, speak, and lead.
