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Posted: Sep 25, 2009 at 1502 hrs IST
With filmmakers gravitating towards newer, bolder stories, an artiste's age no longer matters. Sample this - Big B plays son to Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan in Pa while Slumdog Millionaire has catapulted child artistes Rubina Ali, Ayush Khedekar and Azhar Mohammed Ismail Shaikh to international fame. Is Age just a number in showbiz then? The film industry takes a reality check ASHA BHOSLE
Years come and go. You turn 60, then 70 and then if you are lucky 80. But I don't feel like 76 at all, I don't feel like an old lady. I can still do all my jobs with full enthusiasm and dedication. Retirement is an impossibility for me. I will keep on working as long as my health permits. If I lose my voice, I will teach playback singing, I will look after my restaurants. The key to remaining young is to keep yourself busy. You have to be in a constant state of restlessness. AJAY DEVGAN
An actor is not bound by age. There was a time when actresses used to have a shelf- life in the industry. That is not the case anymore. Today the scope of an actor is based solely on his/her acting ability. Bachchanji rules because he still leaves the audiences in awe with his persona on the big screen. Also as an industry and as audiences, we are more open to anybody who can interest and entertain, irrespective of age or any other factor. AYESHA TAKIA
Age is just a number, not just in Bollywood but in real-life too. This is especially true in the case of men. They look great even as they grow older. Take for instance, Salman Khan, my co-star in Wanted. In fact, my husband Farhan is 27 and I am dying to see what he'll look like when he is 35! As for women, it is a little different since age doesn't sit so well on us! As for co-stars with major age differences, I think if they fit their roles and have a convincing chemistry, it works. CELINA JAITLEY
As an actor I thoroughly believe that age is just a number. A good actor should be able to deliver a good performance irrespective of their off-screen age. We should be able to portray any age on-screen because I guess its a good actor's job to be an expert in human emotions. GOVINDA
The way cinema is today, age is really not an issue. If you are physically fit, you can fit into lot of roles! The audience has become more mature and understanding and does not associate an actor with age. We have Madhuri, Tabu and Kajol who look as stunning as ever and are doing such good work. LATA MANGESHKAR
I have sung for young actresses like Kajol, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor, but I don't change my voice for any of them. My voice just seems to fit everyone! I also have no problems singing for today's young composers if they come up with a song that I like. I have recently recorded for Shamir Tandon in Jail, for a Bengali film and also for a Bhojpuri film composed by Anand-Milind. The song should suit me, that's all. NEHA DHUPIA
I would definitely say that age is just a number. These days, it is all about performance. In every other profession, people mature and get smarter as they grow older. Initially, this wasn't the scenario in Bollywood but now things are changing. Everyone is playing older characters, be it in Paa, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button or Action Replay. Filmmakers are trying out different things and it's interesting to see people appreciate such films. When the audience is not limited to the 20 to 30 age group bracket, why should the actors? Increasingly, a lot of married actresses are getting good roles and doing very well for themselves. I think if we are going to ape the West for everything, then we are going to ape them in the context of older actresses having great careers too. NEIL NITIN MUKESH
PERSONAL age is just a number because an actor can't limit himself to a certain age. It is the most difficult thing to portray a character younger or older than your actual age. In New York, I had to play a character between the age group of 19 to 27. It was easy to relate to the 27-year old because personally I am 27. To play a 19- year-old was difficult because getting back into time and trying to identify with a 20-year old is not easy. But I still managed to pull off both the younger and the older characters so for me personal age is completely irrelevant. You don't have to limit yourselves to roles that require you to be as old as you actually are. MINISSHA LAMBA
yES, age has definitely become just a number in showbiz. This transition has taken place and all thanks to the varied storylines and concepts. For how long will we confine our talent and creative juices? The audiences have matured and they need variety. If today a script demands the lead actor to be a child, the director doesn't think twice before casting a child as a lead actor, whereas earlier that would never happen. This transition will help us produce some great movies. PRIYANKA CHOPRA
Age is definately just a number when it comes to Screen. One great thing Screen comes with is the credibility. You won't get malicious gossip or scandalous journalism here. You know you are going to get facts and entertainment. That's why I respect Screen. It has evolved so much, it has changed so much with every generation of actors and filmmakers. My first Best Actress award came from Screen, I will always cherish that. RAHUL BOSE
I think the only age that matters is how old you look on screen; it doesn't matter how old you actually are. As long as your screen age is believable for the character, your job is done. I have seen so many actors in the mid-40s carrying off younger roles because they don't look their age. Russell Crowe is shown aging in A Beautiful Mind and the make-up used on him is awful. Thought it makes him look ridiculous, he is absolutely convincing. I completely agree with the statement that age is just a number in showbiz. RANBIR KAPOOR
My forthcoming film Wake Up Sid is a classic example of why age is becoming just a number in Bollywood. There is Ayan Mukerji, the film's director, who is two years younger than I am while my co-star Konkana Sen is a wee bit older to me. When Karan Johar introduced Ayan to me, I thought he was joking about him directing the film; Ayan looked so very young. But when I went through the script I was floored. And for the lead role of Ayesha, Konkana was the first person who came to my mind. I guess an actor's real age doesn't matter as far as they fit the role perfectly. SHAHID KAPOOR
I think people are becoming increasingly more receptive to new ideas. As actors and filmmakers, we have to ensure that a story is told credibly and the audiences will accept it. To this effect, an actor's age has become just a number. SHILPA SHETTY
An actor's screen age and actual age are two different things. Audience perspective is changing and they are definitely becoming mature in their outlook. I really think that the prerequisite for an actor to do a role is their ability to fit into the character, including looking the required age. We are on the threshold of making more interesting scripts in terms of characters across ages. In the last five years, filmmakers have made bolder films and have raised the yardstick. SHREYAS TALPADE
I think as long as one can portray characters convincingly, age is not a deterrent. We have several such examples in the industry, starting with Mr Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Anupam Kher essayed the role of a retired man right at the start of his career (Saaransh). In fact with Om Shanti Om I too attempted playing a young character in the first half and a slightly matured one in the second. With experimental cinema getting more commercial, it is a great zone for actors to not play the stereotypical hero and yet be a protagonist and essay lead roles. Today, audiences can identify much more with lead characters and there is an audience for all types of films. I think people only start blaming an actor's age when they slip slightly on performance. I also believe one should mature gracefully on-screen and one actor who I have always admired for the same is Juhi Chawla. It doesn't mean taking up miniscule roles but at the same time, not all actors can fit into a college girl's or boy's shoes. SOPHIE CHAUDHRY
Age is nothing but a number! At least, that's what I would like to believe. In the last few years, the scope of cinema and storylines has diversified to create roles for actors of all ages and that's incredibly exciting. However, I think that the audience still finds it difficult to accept a married actress as a 'heroine' in the true sense of the word. Nonetheless, the fact that roles are available to them, be it Kajol, Aishwarya (who is doing fabulous work), Madhuri and even Ayesha, says it all about the changing perspective. Today, a film like Chintuji is made with Rishi Kapoor as the life and soul of the film and finds appreciation. Similarly, Baghban has been a hit even though it revolves around senior people. Films like Harry Potter are an example of how in spite of their ages, certain child stars are earning more than some of the top stars hailing from an industry like ours. Cinema is about art imitating life and hence must represent people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It's about time we 'come of age'! TANAY CHEDDA
OUR cinema has matured a lot recently. Earlier films were usually run-of-the-mill kind of love stories revolving around a chocolate boy as hero and a glamour doll as the heroine. But now Bollywood is coming with offbeat story ideas and experimental cinema where the story is the focal point and the movie emerges out of the demand of the story. This has been a prevalent practice in Hollywood since quite some time but our Bollywood has recently started adapting this and its definitely good news for our cinema. It's maturing by leaps and bounds and will very soon be the leader of cinema worldwide. Age therefore is no longer a smooth passage or a barrier for being a successful actor. It's the talent and potential that takes precedence. A child actor is equally respected and honoured for his talent as an adult actor. So age as always said by the philosophers is just a number! Age is how you feel from within and how you make others feel, its how you portray yourself! VIDHU VINOD CHOPRA
Today, the approach to age has changed. Whether it is six decades of cinema or 58 years of Screen, what is important is that you have to constantly evolve. It is no longer enough to be 58. Tradition in today's time is not sufficient because there are just too many choices. Even with age on your side, the important thing is to deliver - how old or young you are does not matter. With Broken Horses, I am starting out all over again as this film is primarily for the Western audience where I am a not a big name. A major part of the change in cinema has been spurred by the entry of corporate production houses and multiplexes. A lot of films in recent times would have never released if not for the multiplexes; the good part is that there is good cinema for people to see. However, the new influx also brought in a lot of people who didn't know about movies and that devalued the quality of our cinema. But within the so-called multiplex movies, we haven't got to the same stage as Hollywood; we are still growing. So the trouble is that they are still looking for stars. The day they start asking ki story kya hai - age, in its truest sense, will just be a number. TUSSHAR KAPOOR
An actor's age is really not a barrier today when it comes to essaying lead roles and indeed it is an interesting trend. As an audience, the taste of moviegoers is evolving. They have become more receptive to the idea of older stars playing lead roles as they are bored of conventional characters and storylines. One actor who comes to my mind for having broken the age barrier is Amitabh Bachchan. The very first film of his that proved this point was Baghban, which had him and Hemaji as the lead actors. Age is increasingly becoming just a number in showbiz and there is a lot more to be explored in this trend.
Years come and go. You turn 60, then 70 and then if you are lucky 80. But I don't feel like 76 at all, I don't feel like an old lady. I can still do all my jobs with full enthusiasm and dedication. Retirement is an impossibility for me. I will keep on working as long as my health permits. If I lose my voice, I will teach playback singing, I will look after my restaurants. The key to remaining young is to keep yourself busy. You have to be in a constant state of restlessness. AJAY DEVGAN
An actor is not bound by age. There was a time when actresses used to have a shelf- life in the industry. That is not the case anymore. Today the scope of an actor is based solely on his/her acting ability. Bachchanji rules because he still leaves the audiences in awe with his persona on the big screen. Also as an industry and as audiences, we are more open to anybody who can interest and entertain, irrespective of age or any other factor. AYESHA TAKIA
Age is just a number, not just in Bollywood but in real-life too. This is especially true in the case of men. They look great even as they grow older. Take for instance, Salman Khan, my co-star in Wanted. In fact, my husband Farhan is 27 and I am dying to see what he'll look like when he is 35! As for women, it is a little different since age doesn't sit so well on us! As for co-stars with major age differences, I think if they fit their roles and have a convincing chemistry, it works. CELINA JAITLEY
As an actor I thoroughly believe that age is just a number. A good actor should be able to deliver a good performance irrespective of their off-screen age. We should be able to portray any age on-screen because I guess its a good actor's job to be an expert in human emotions. GOVINDA
The way cinema is today, age is really not an issue. If you are physically fit, you can fit into lot of roles! The audience has become more mature and understanding and does not associate an actor with age. We have Madhuri, Tabu and Kajol who look as stunning as ever and are doing such good work. LATA MANGESHKAR
I have sung for young actresses like Kajol, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor, but I don't change my voice for any of them. My voice just seems to fit everyone! I also have no problems singing for today's young composers if they come up with a song that I like. I have recently recorded for Shamir Tandon in Jail, for a Bengali film and also for a Bhojpuri film composed by Anand-Milind. The song should suit me, that's all. NEHA DHUPIA
I would definitely say that age is just a number. These days, it is all about performance. In every other profession, people mature and get smarter as they grow older. Initially, this wasn't the scenario in Bollywood but now things are changing. Everyone is playing older characters, be it in Paa, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button or Action Replay. Filmmakers are trying out different things and it's interesting to see people appreciate such films. When the audience is not limited to the 20 to 30 age group bracket, why should the actors? Increasingly, a lot of married actresses are getting good roles and doing very well for themselves. I think if we are going to ape the West for everything, then we are going to ape them in the context of older actresses having great careers too. NEIL NITIN MUKESH
PERSONAL age is just a number because an actor can't limit himself to a certain age. It is the most difficult thing to portray a character younger or older than your actual age. In New York, I had to play a character between the age group of 19 to 27. It was easy to relate to the 27-year old because personally I am 27. To play a 19- year-old was difficult because getting back into time and trying to identify with a 20-year old is not easy. But I still managed to pull off both the younger and the older characters so for me personal age is completely irrelevant. You don't have to limit yourselves to roles that require you to be as old as you actually are. MINISSHA LAMBA
yES, age has definitely become just a number in showbiz. This transition has taken place and all thanks to the varied storylines and concepts. For how long will we confine our talent and creative juices? The audiences have matured and they need variety. If today a script demands the lead actor to be a child, the director doesn't think twice before casting a child as a lead actor, whereas earlier that would never happen. This transition will help us produce some great movies. PRIYANKA CHOPRA
Age is definately just a number when it comes to Screen. One great thing Screen comes with is the credibility. You won't get malicious gossip or scandalous journalism here. You know you are going to get facts and entertainment. That's why I respect Screen. It has evolved so much, it has changed so much with every generation of actors and filmmakers. My first Best Actress award came from Screen, I will always cherish that. RAHUL BOSE
I think the only age that matters is how old you look on screen; it doesn't matter how old you actually are. As long as your screen age is believable for the character, your job is done. I have seen so many actors in the mid-40s carrying off younger roles because they don't look their age. Russell Crowe is shown aging in A Beautiful Mind and the make-up used on him is awful. Thought it makes him look ridiculous, he is absolutely convincing. I completely agree with the statement that age is just a number in showbiz. RANBIR KAPOOR
My forthcoming film Wake Up Sid is a classic example of why age is becoming just a number in Bollywood. There is Ayan Mukerji, the film's director, who is two years younger than I am while my co-star Konkana Sen is a wee bit older to me. When Karan Johar introduced Ayan to me, I thought he was joking about him directing the film; Ayan looked so very young. But when I went through the script I was floored. And for the lead role of Ayesha, Konkana was the first person who came to my mind. I guess an actor's real age doesn't matter as far as they fit the role perfectly. SHAHID KAPOOR
I think people are becoming increasingly more receptive to new ideas. As actors and filmmakers, we have to ensure that a story is told credibly and the audiences will accept it. To this effect, an actor's age has become just a number. SHILPA SHETTY
An actor's screen age and actual age are two different things. Audience perspective is changing and they are definitely becoming mature in their outlook. I really think that the prerequisite for an actor to do a role is their ability to fit into the character, including looking the required age. We are on the threshold of making more interesting scripts in terms of characters across ages. In the last five years, filmmakers have made bolder films and have raised the yardstick. SHREYAS TALPADE
I think as long as one can portray characters convincingly, age is not a deterrent. We have several such examples in the industry, starting with Mr Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Anupam Kher essayed the role of a retired man right at the start of his career (Saaransh). In fact with Om Shanti Om I too attempted playing a young character in the first half and a slightly matured one in the second. With experimental cinema getting more commercial, it is a great zone for actors to not play the stereotypical hero and yet be a protagonist and essay lead roles. Today, audiences can identify much more with lead characters and there is an audience for all types of films. I think people only start blaming an actor's age when they slip slightly on performance. I also believe one should mature gracefully on-screen and one actor who I have always admired for the same is Juhi Chawla. It doesn't mean taking up miniscule roles but at the same time, not all actors can fit into a college girl's or boy's shoes. SOPHIE CHAUDHRY
Age is nothing but a number! At least, that's what I would like to believe. In the last few years, the scope of cinema and storylines has diversified to create roles for actors of all ages and that's incredibly exciting. However, I think that the audience still finds it difficult to accept a married actress as a 'heroine' in the true sense of the word. Nonetheless, the fact that roles are available to them, be it Kajol, Aishwarya (who is doing fabulous work), Madhuri and even Ayesha, says it all about the changing perspective. Today, a film like Chintuji is made with Rishi Kapoor as the life and soul of the film and finds appreciation. Similarly, Baghban has been a hit even though it revolves around senior people. Films like Harry Potter are an example of how in spite of their ages, certain child stars are earning more than some of the top stars hailing from an industry like ours. Cinema is about art imitating life and hence must represent people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It's about time we 'come of age'! TANAY CHEDDA
OUR cinema has matured a lot recently. Earlier films were usually run-of-the-mill kind of love stories revolving around a chocolate boy as hero and a glamour doll as the heroine. But now Bollywood is coming with offbeat story ideas and experimental cinema where the story is the focal point and the movie emerges out of the demand of the story. This has been a prevalent practice in Hollywood since quite some time but our Bollywood has recently started adapting this and its definitely good news for our cinema. It's maturing by leaps and bounds and will very soon be the leader of cinema worldwide. Age therefore is no longer a smooth passage or a barrier for being a successful actor. It's the talent and potential that takes precedence. A child actor is equally respected and honoured for his talent as an adult actor. So age as always said by the philosophers is just a number! Age is how you feel from within and how you make others feel, its how you portray yourself! VIDHU VINOD CHOPRA
Today, the approach to age has changed. Whether it is six decades of cinema or 58 years of Screen, what is important is that you have to constantly evolve. It is no longer enough to be 58. Tradition in today's time is not sufficient because there are just too many choices. Even with age on your side, the important thing is to deliver - how old or young you are does not matter. With Broken Horses, I am starting out all over again as this film is primarily for the Western audience where I am a not a big name. A major part of the change in cinema has been spurred by the entry of corporate production houses and multiplexes. A lot of films in recent times would have never released if not for the multiplexes; the good part is that there is good cinema for people to see. However, the new influx also brought in a lot of people who didn't know about movies and that devalued the quality of our cinema. But within the so-called multiplex movies, we haven't got to the same stage as Hollywood; we are still growing. So the trouble is that they are still looking for stars. The day they start asking ki story kya hai - age, in its truest sense, will just be a number. TUSSHAR KAPOOR
An actor's age is really not a barrier today when it comes to essaying lead roles and indeed it is an interesting trend. As an audience, the taste of moviegoers is evolving. They have become more receptive to the idea of older stars playing lead roles as they are bored of conventional characters and storylines. One actor who comes to my mind for having broken the age barrier is Amitabh Bachchan. The very first film of his that proved this point was Baghban, which had him and Hemaji as the lead actors. Age is increasingly becoming just a number in showbiz and there is a lot more to be explored in this trend.
TARUN MANSUKHANI
Age has always been just a number in showbiz, whether it is the constant competition for the number one slot or actors playing roles which defied their real ages. The Indian film industry has always seen young and old alike. Respect and admiration here comes not from age, but from one's work and that is the only count that matters.
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