Actor Chitrangda Singh, who has been cast opposite Salman Khan in the upcoming film Battle of Galwan, recently opened up about the ongoing conversation around ageing in the film industry. Her casting is being appreciated by fans for being age-appropriate, a shift from the common trend of older male actors starring alongside much younger female leads.
Chitrangda Singh on age-appropriate casting in Bollywood: “Everyone is trying to maintain their looks”
Chitrangda, who has maintained a consistent presence on screen over the years, spoke about the pressure on actors—especially women—to look young, both on and off screen. Reflecting on the nature of the industry, she said, “It exists for everybody. At the end of the day, it’s a visual medium. If you’re playing a 70-year-old, you should look like it, and if you want to be cast as a 30-year-old, you have to be able to pull it off. That’s just the practical side of it.”
She acknowledged that filmmakers have certain expectations, and that it’s fair for producers to take appearance into account when casting. “It goes for male actors as well. Akki (Akshay Kumar) works on his fitness, watches what he eats. Of course, there is more flexibility when it comes to writing characters for men as compared to women. But I don’t think it’s necessarily biased. Male stars drive the film, drive the market, and bring in the money. There’s a lot more to consider. That said, Kareena (Kapoor Khan) is doing amazing work right now.”
Chitrangda also highlighted the positive changes she has seen in the industry over time. Unlike earlier, when female actors were often considered to have a limited shelf life, things are now shifting. “The times have changed so much. Vidya (Balan) is doing great work. All these actors still hold strong screen presence and are being cast frequently. Roles are being written for them, which is a big change.”
As for the pressure to look a certain way, she pointed out that it isn’t limited to Bollywood. “Look at Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore—everyone is trying to maintain their looks. You have to. At the end of the day, you’re selling a story, and it needs to be believable. Of course, actors face pressure in many ways.”
Battle of Galwan has sparked conversations not just for its subject, but also for making casting choices that reflect more realism and balance. And with actors like Chitrangda Singh speaking up, the conversation around ageing, image, and representation in cinema continues to evolve.
Also Read: Chitrangda Singh rings in birthday with gratitude; shares excitement for ‘future projects
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