Male actors romancing younger heroines is not new in Bollywood. We have seen actors like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and others cast opposite heroines half their age. In an interview, veteran actress Ratna Pathak Shah opened up about it. She called it an 'embarrassment'.
She told India Today, “My husband (Naseeruddin Shah) was playing a senior actor in The Dirty Picture and he had a scene which required him to go running to his mom and say 'Ma, main college mein first-class first ho gaya (I topped the college exam with a first-class)'. That was supposed to be a joke in the film, but unfortunately, that is the reality."
The 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai' actress also said, ''When they don’t feel ashamed, then what should I say? They are not ashamed to romance actresses who are younger than their daughters, so there is nothing for me to say. I mean it’s an embarrassment''.
Shah added, “There will be change. I’m sure, women are not going under the burqa or ghunghat anymore, we are economically more viable today, we will drive certain stories, women will make their way, it will take time but we will surely make our way''.
On the work front, Ratna Pathak Shah starred in 'Dhak Dhak' with Fatima Sana Shaikh, Dia Mirza, and Sanjana Sanghi. The movie released in theatres on October 13. It's about four women of different age groups embarking on an adventurous journey. 'Dhak Dhak' is produced by Taapsee Pannu's Outsiders Films in collaboration with Viacom18 Studios.
