Bips Blasts “Boy’s-world” Bollywood
Posted on 29 August 2008 by Halima Khatun
It’s no secret that Bollywood is, and has always been a male-dominated industry. The men get paid more, and enjoy much longer, illustrious careers, while their female equivalent see their fee and film offers reduce greatly once they hit 30.
Bipasha Basu, possibly the most forthright and outspoken actress in Bollywood (bar perhaps Kareena Kapoor) has seconded this viewpoint in a recent interview. She explains that being an actress, she has to plan her career and personal life carefully and meticulously in an attempt to overcome these barriers.
“It’s a man’s industry and it’s never going to change. There is no use pointing out our stand verbally or through action”, Bipasha said.
One of the big factors determining an actress’ success is their love life. Once an actress is in a relationship, their options get reduced significantly. “Your personal life has an indirect impact on the offers that come your way. Once you are bonded into any relationship, the choice is limited and one has to make the right moves,” she added (perhaps explaining the reason why she and long-time beau John are yet to tie the knot).
The obvious inequality still may come as a surprise to many - myself included. While actors such as Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor have been happily married throughout their careers, for women it’s practically career suicide; it’s almost blasphemy in Bollywood for an actress to marry at the height of her profession. The only actress I can recall that performed such a rebellious act was Kajol, and now she is restricted to movies directed by hubby Ajay.
Madhuri Dixit famously held-off marriage until she was near the end of her career, while Ash settled into her thirties before she married Abhishek, the son of the legendry Amitabh Bachchan.
Another obvious inequality is the pairings in Bollywood. While actors get older, their heroines get younger. To date, Akshay Kumar, now in his forties, has been paired alongside (in vague chronological order) Madhuri Dixit, Ayesha Jhulka, Shilpa Shetty, Karishma Kapoor (later binned in favour of younger sister Kareena), Priyanka Chopra - and his most recent partner in crime, Katrina Kaif.
Since they’re churning out box office gold, nobody seems to bat an eyelid at the fact that there is at least fifteen years between Katrina and Akshay. But that’s nothing compared to Anil Kapoor (48) and Sameera Reddy (25); while daughter Sonam Kapoor makes her movie debut, Anil is acting opposite a woman of the same generation as her. Then there’s Shah Rukh and Deepika, Govinda and Katrina… the list goes on and on.
The real question is, as women are snapping at actors’ heels by increasing film fees - seemingly narrowing the pay gap - will they be free to marry, and more importantly, free to age like their male counterparts? In essence, will their ever be equality in Bollywood? Share your thoughts…
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   (14 votes. Average: 3.43 out of 5) |
Tags : aishwarya, bipasha, kajol, kareena kapoor, shah rukh khan, shilpa shetty
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August 29th, 2008 at 9:17 am
It’s no secret that Bollywood is, and has always been a male-dominated industry. The men get paid more, and enjoy much longer, illustrious careers.In this case I am agree wihe Bipasha Basu.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Very few actresses manage to maintain their shapely figures therefore by default women have a much shorter shelf life than their male counterparts. You have to agree, that women start to show their age as soon as they hit 30. While stars such as SRK in his mid 40s can still get away with playing the part of a college student. Can you imagine someone like Preity Zinta playing the part of a young college girl? So its not the people running the industry, but the candidates suitability for the job. Its just life. You wont get an ugly presenter on TV, but for radio that presenter would be fine.
In acting, your qualification is not your acting ability, but how much sex appeal you have.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Is this not the case in most places of work?;the man is dominant?It seems obvious that the cultural aspects in the bollywood film industry go hand in hand with everyday lifestyle in the asian sub-continent.The situation might be slightly different outside of this culture.For example Hollywood actresses get paid huge amounts,but they demand huge salaries to coincide with their illustrious lifestyle.So wanting equality is always going to difficult especially with so many factors to consider.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Great article!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Same thing is happening in Hollywood.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Who cares?
August 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
The Bollywood actresses apparentlley
August 29th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
They still get paid tonnes of money, so I can’t offer much sympathy. I think these actresses don’t want other budding actresses getting a piece of the pie.
For purely entertainment reasons, I’d like to see movie stars looking hot. So they’re willing to sacrifice entertainment just to eek out every last drop of fame. There are people starving in this world, you know?
August 29th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
robiel i think u shud carry on with ur proffession you would not understand this topicn i totally agree with bipasha.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Well, Nikisha, if the world revolved around handbags and shoes, it may be a pressing issue.
But it doesn’t. It’s insignificant. It means nothing. If women lose their looks, why compromise quality cinema by casting these old hags?!
When pop stars/actresses overstay their welcome, you end up with people like Madonna. Mutton dressed as lamb…
August 29th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
sad male chauvanist pigs still in their small world old fashioned blokes grow up its 2008 n u still think backwards what happend 2 equal rights yeah i think its good that they should fight the corner n y should it b male dominat i think this is a sad issue guys grow up n offer your supports instead of being little dicks
August 29th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Wow Shah, aren’t you the sensitive type…
Excuse me for having an opinion. Perhaps you haven’t twigged onto the fact that the Bombay film industry makes films to make money, and hot chicks sell flicks.
I don’t see anyone fighting the cause for fat, ugly people. Well, there was Michelle McManus, and we all know what happened to her…
August 29th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
LOL!
all this from me saying who cares.
but still NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT INDIAN ACTRESSES
August 29th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
wots d hot chicks its just thier equal rights n their fight still u av your veiws but some of d remarks u make fat ppl ugly ppl excuse me who r u exactly i dont belive 1 should make negative remarks on how sum 1 looks its in d paragraph read it the women want 2 b reconised not wot u sat HOT CHICKS ETC ETC so hope u chng your veiws n nxt time u come all offensive with remarks like ugly fat remember everyone is unique in their own character n who r u 2 judge dont b upset when u get negative feedback n e way god luck with your veiws
August 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
heyy..u misd the south Indian movies… where the average age between actor and actress is minimum 30 years…lol
see rajnikant movies…u will go mad!!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Hassan - please watch your language. I accept you do not appreciate Bollywood actresses, even though you have commented a number of times on his post, an article focusing entirely on Bollywood actresses. I will not delete comments as requested by some people, rather let them be areas for further debate.
It is clear that Hassan has a certain kind of mind set, and his response are more then adequate enough for us to gage his mentality. So lets leave him to it.
peace and love everyone :)
August 30th, 2008 at 2:17 am
Bipasha is right.
I do want to point out that KAJOL is not restriceted to Ajay’s movies. in past 7 years or so she has done 3 movies KKKG with Karan Johar, Fanna with Kunal Kohli, and
u me aur hum with Ajay. And she has declined many offers from proment directors and production houses like Vinod Chopra/Rajkumar Hirani (MBBS.. and Idiot), Yesh
Raj Chopra (Veer Zara), Karan Johar (KANK), B R Chopra (Babul), ETC. And very recently she declined Kamal Hassan’s (Marmayogi).
To make a point, pls do not twist the fact(s).
August 30th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Bipasha is always right besides being beautiful and talented. The Indian media accepts a 45 year old Billy Goat Akshay cavorting with Hurriyat Conf. gril Katrina. Or a 42 year old Ugly SRK with even uglier albeit young Deepika. But No NO bips can’t act with Ranbir who is 6 months younger to her.
BTW Hassan Zaman if nobody cares for Indian actresses, why are you here? Are you even worse than a nobody?
August 30th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Get your facts correct dear… I know that you are not a fan of Kajol, you never praised on her any day.. But atleast whatever you write dont take Kajol’s name, but alas you still can’t ignore her… You should know that after her marriage she worked in Fanaa and K3G for which she bagged most of the respected awards… This has no influence of Ajay.. To make the point more clearer she has accepted Karan’s forthcoming film which I guess you are definitely aware of. As for Raju Chacha, UMAH, and Dil Kya Kare, any one would do their home productions rather than selecting other actors… And why to choose others? Kajol is the best.. Ajay is lucky that his better half is the country’s most loved woman…
Beside this concern, the one you have summed up is good.. Yeaa its good…
August 30th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I thought this was ment to be a sensible adult conversation. I know its only trivial but its still nice to just see different points of views. So please, lets not have any silly childish remarks. Nice one Yasmine
August 30th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
to be honest people who have this careless attitude about indian actresses, dont go watch their films if you dont care but im sure youve already been to watch these films…if u dunt like them stay away from these films and also keep your opinions to yourself because im sure these actresses wouldnt even have time to listen to your pathetic remarks…there a celebrity and you know you want to be in there position dont deny it.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Yar how silly comments you have posted yar… just see how masterfully one delivers his act, don’t get fascinated by their looks, at last one’s shape has to be deshaped but his act or character demonstrated will live for ever, in our minds and hearts…..
August 30th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
i think women look their best at 30
August 30th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
ets not digress from the topic.
I understand the inequality, age difference, pay evrything but just give a thought …why?
It is mainly because of the target market, their mindset and acceptance to the age difference, etc. Back home, the viewers in the cinema are mostly men and thus action heroes with younger females and hot scenes increase the probability of sales.
You cannot sell wat ppl aint gonna buy.
The payouts are according to popularity and the expected income. In many movies the top-rated actresses do get paid more than the actor.
With the old actor, its mostly its home production, popularity.
Now, actresses like Rani mukherjee, Vidya Balan are good actresses but how many people do understand acting? Take the example of Provoked ticket sales in India?
Its a harsh truth but yes, sex sells and dats wat the demand of the target market and the demand is always for younger women.
So to pair up the leading actor who is old but popular, with the young revealing actress is nothing but a strategy to reach to a larger mass just in case the viewers are attracted towards the movie…mainly due to “Hot” scenes.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Interesting personal views, it’s easy to see how the capitalist mind of the film maker makes such decisions.
I am not much of a Bollywood fan myself, but when I do humour myself every now and then, I find it hilarious to see someone like our ol’ boy Govinda playing the college kid and love interest of a hot girl who’s just past minor..I mean, who is he kidding?
How does an industry that maintains such restrictrive views on actresses not realise that recruiting buddhas for these roles is wrong on so many levels?
It is so that the women in vanity fuelled industries are under pressure to be the perfection of female youth, but unless the entertained mass are ready to accept a lil reality, then I guess thats just the way it is.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
cheers Salina.
It comes from someone who has seen Bollywood very closely.
All are fake! The industry is in “show business” in real terms, internally and externally.
Behind the scenes is even worse. However, there are some good souls. This is one of the reasons I m not a fan of bollywood either.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Interesting topic. I do believe this disparity between actors and actresses in Bollywood is set to change; slowly but surely. With the emergence of an affluent middle class in India, focus is shifting from fighting for one’s survival and more towards social issues on a national scale and bettering India as a nation.
Changes are already appearing in other parts of Indian society, e.g. growing AIDS awareness, corruption within the police force being increasingly reported by the media and a real effort to address the imbalance between men and women in India.
I am sure Bollywood will follow suit. It may take a little time, but with the rapid change of attitudes within the viewing public of India, Bollywood must change to cater to this, in order to ensure its own survival.
August 31st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for all your comments guys. I see that this is a fierce topic of debate, and it’s interesting to see various views.
Bollywood in an industry where great looks where a woman’s youth and looks will always play favourably over acting ability, you can see this by noting the turnaround of the ‘top’ actresses in Bollywood, whereas the Khan’s hav remained stalwarts for nearly 20 years.
Do keep your comments coming, and apologies to Kajol fans.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Look guys Shalim is spot on
its not the people running the industry, but the candidates suitable for the job and how much sex appeal do you have left
Ageing actresses are more suitable to do roles in periodic films and likewise but these films are rarely made.Today’s demand is young and energetic actresses like kat kaif,kareena and deepika who could add a lot of glamour.so there are so many roles thesedays which are beyond the older actress’s capacity
Whereas if u look at the heroes, u just have to give them credit the way they all have maintained their physique,look and everything; i mean the 40+ actors(SRK,Akshay,Aamir,Salman). They can be fitted in any film for any role, any time.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Just want to add a couple of points.
Shah, I understand where you’re coming from. Beauty is not scientifically measurable, and therefore cannot be proven. I’m a knob. Sorry. But please, use some grammar once in a while. Your last post looks as if it was written by a demented 4 year old. With learning difficulties.
Nikesha, you’ve obviously put these celebrities up there on a pedastal. Good for you. I’ve also noticed you have trouble distinguishing “they’re”, “their” and “there”. Awww…..so cute. Now go have a glass of orange squash and watch some cartoons.
Sorry Shalim, couldn’t help the childish remarks!
It’s all fun and games, eh?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
TV actresses receive almost double payouts than their male counterparts.
Small screen is now dominated by women, especially the prime time as the major target market and the viewers are women.
Smriti Irani of the Kyunki Saas bhi …thi fame charges 50,000 a day, that makes it 12 million rupees a year if she works the official 48 working weeks a year.
Thus it can be ruled that the payouts within the entertainment industry depends on the target market and their respective demands.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I just read this article and couldn’t be bothered to read some of the comments to be honest. So if my comment does not seem to fit in with what people are saying then please excuse me. First up, as a film maker, I have little respect for the Bollywood film industry and the image they portray. As for what this article is about, I agree with it totally. Bollywood is nothing but a place to view pretty people with limited acting skills! All women and men are made to bare all, whether it is their choice or not and act like its natural. Once a certain age has come and gone, it is no longer appealing, people do not really look at performances but more at how a person looks. With Bollywood there is always something young and hotter coming on to the scene, so why bother with the elder if the younger is going to pull in more of an audience and create a new fan base to cash in on? Money is what makes the world go round, remember that!
As for an earlier comment I scrolled past saying that Hollywood is the same, I fail to agree. Hollywood was once a setting for beautiful people to enter the stage and set the world alight, but now it is performance, actors and actresses go on for as long as they please if they fit the bill. Jack Black is a easy example, not a sex icon, yet he attracts film goers and is a Hollywood A lister. Jack Nicholson, a great actor and still gets nominated for awards, do any of you girls have a poster of him half naked in your room?? Helen Mirren, great actress and still churning out great roles, Dame Judi Dench, a first choice cast and can still put in a good performance. Queen Latifah, an actress who has starred in some great films and put in good performances and I wonder why?? hhhmmmm
That is the difference, Bollywood has been and always be all about the glamour. If you look hot and do not mind running around naked then you are primed to be a hit. I could go on for a while but I feel that many of you are getting bored.
PEACE!