Mumbai: Actor Dia Mirza has spoken strongly about the persistent age-related disparities in Indian cinema, particularly the long-standing trend of pairing young female actors opposite significantly older male co-stars. Speaking at the We The Women event, Dia addressed the issue through her own experiences, highlighting the deep-rooted ageism that shapes casting decisions in the industry.
Dia Mirza says age-gap casting remains unchanged
During the event, Dia emphasised that she feels more empowered than ever at 40. “I am more focused, sharper, and doing some of the best work,” she said, noting that her creative energy and professional capability have only strengthened with age. However, she argued that despite the progress in filmmaking and storytelling, the casting landscape has barely evolved. Dia pointed out that she continues to be cast opposite actors in their late 50s, 60s, and even 70s, with the expectation that the on-screen pairings appear romantic and contemporary. “I find it interesting that I’m cast opposite actors in their late 50s, 60s, and even 70s — and we’re meant to be seen as romantic equals on screen,” she said.
The double standard in romantic pairings
Dia further questioned why cinema rarely pairs older women with younger men, despite regularly casting older men with much younger women. “Yet you’ll never see a 60- or 70-year-old woman cast opposite a man in his 40s, playing a contemporary romantic lead,” she noted. She went on to explain that such pairings do not exist not because they lack credibility, but because of a cultural mindset that limits how women are perceived on screen. According to Dia, the film industry struggles to imagine female characters as desirable, relevant or central beyond a certain age. This, she said, reinforces patterns that distort public perception of women’s aging. “Our industry still struggles to imagine women as desirable, relevant, and central beyond a certain age,” she said. Dia added that while men are allowed to age on screen with dignity, complexity and visibility, women are denied the same opportunity. “It’s not about men ageing,” she emphasised. “It’s about women being denied the right to age with visibility, dignity, and complexity on screen.”
Ageism as a systemic issue
Dia’s remarks underline a broader concern within the entertainment industry, where age bias intersects with sexism, limiting opportunities for women after a certain point in their careers. The trend of older male actors playing romantic leads opposite significantly younger actresses has existed for decades, often shaping public perception of desirability and relevance. While debates on pay parity and representation have gained traction, ageism continues to operate quietly but pervasively. Industry watchers note that while some progress has been made in creating roles for older female actors — especially on OTT platforms — mainstream cinema still lags behind when it comes to equal representation.
Industry response and ongoing discussions
Dia’s comments echo the views expressed in recent years by several female actors, including Neena Gupta, Shefali Shah, Raveena Tandon and Konkona Sensharma, who have openly discussed the limited and stereotypical roles offered to women after a certain age. Many argue that OTT platforms have become more inclusive spaces where stories centred on women of varied ages are being written, but theatrical cinema continues to rely on conventional formulas. Dia’s critique also invites conversations about how audiences perceive age differences in on-screen romances and whether societal expectations have played a role in allowing these casting patterns to persist.
What’s next for Dia Mirza
On the work front, Dia Mirza was last seen in the film Nadaaniyan, where she portrayed Nandini Mehta, the mother of Ibrahim Ali Khan’s character. The film premiered on an OTT platform earlier this year and received appreciation for its performances. Reportedly, Dia is set to return to the romantic genre with a film directed by Kanwal Sethi. The project marks her re-entry into a space she has been associated with since the early years of her career, though this time with a narrative expected to offer greater depth and maturity.
Conclusion
Dia Mirza’s remarks reignite an important industry conversation surrounding age, gender and representation. By calling out the long-standing imbalance in casting practices, she adds her voice to the evolving discourse on equality and inclusivity in Indian cinema. Her comments challenge the industry to re-evaluate entrenched standards and move towards more authentic and equitable storytelling, where women of all ages can occupy central, nuanced and meaningful spaces on screen.