“Superstars of India”: Their Stardom, Defying Age and Critics
There is no denying the fact that India is still a male-dominated society. But, over the years, it has changed to a certain extent in several fields. Cinema is one of them.
Female-oriented scripts have increased, and dynamic and influential characters are being infused into stories. For instance, we’ve seen the rise of characters like Piku in the eponymous film and the strong-willed Rani in Queen. We’ve come a long way from Hema Malini’s Dhanno in Sholay to Kriti Sanon’s portrayal of Mimi. Still, what remains intact is the shelf life of a leading actress.
Several superstars dominate our entertainment industry. Their reign as leading actors has outgrown a generation and passed midway through the second. Yet, they continue to play characters half their age and romance young actresses.
Lately, there have been many rants and discussions of the same, mostly adverse. To understand this ongoing cycle, we must analyze several aspects, such as societal expectations, audience preferences, and the influence of star power, that culminate in its acceptance.
First, look at them. I mean, seriously, look at them. In my family, I have several males who are fifty years and above. They are not even close to what some of our superstars look like. Let’s not get into the debate about going under the knife. What do you do with your body, and to what extent is your choice? For example, my family’s receding hairline cure is an Ayurvedic oil massage twice daily, and the brand changes every six months. They also know about hair implants but aren’t willing to go for them.
Everybody in today’s life has a weakness for food, whether sweet or junk. It’s hard for someone to hold himself back and restrict their taste buds to the variety of cuisine available. They do it constantly, combined with physical exercise and discipline. Imagine having crores in your bank account and still having to eat grilled chicken salad for dinner or Tofu paneer salad if you are a vegetarian. It requires discipline and focus.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, former actress Ayesha Jhulka was asked about “90’s Heroes romancing younger women”. Her reply stated, “First thing is that all of them still look like they are 20, so credit goes there. If the viewers are not liking you, your films are not working, then how will you exist where my co-stars are today? Their films are becoming hits, they have evolved as actors, and they have worked so hard. I am a witness to so many of them working so hard, and they should get the fruit of that labour.”
The collection of box office numbers and the money they mint are directly related to the acceptance of this formula. People love to see them paired with these beautiful actresses. The masses agree, and entertainment generally is for the masses. However, some of their films have recently failed to perform at the box office. This can be attributed to a need for more creativity in scripts and their treatment, which fails to engage the audience and deliver a compelling story.
We all experience the burden of responsibility from our families in several stages of our lives: education, financial security, marriage, raising a family, and so on. A family generally consists of a few members, and we constantly seek their approval to make them happy. What if the family consisted of lakhs of members? How would we tolerate the pressure? Fans are the extended family of superstars. Imagine the pressure they would feel.
Superstar is a status given to them by their fans, and fans are not cultivated overnight; they are embroidered over the years due to their hard work and persistence. Their love and affection over the years ensue a responsibility on these superstars to entertain them, make them happy, and generate a feel-good factor as they enter the theatre.
In 2022, ‘Top Gun Maverick‘ was released. The much-awaited second installment of the 1986 classic ‘Top Gun’. Tom Cruise (61) reprised his role as Maverick. However, they changed the character’s love interest to accommodate his growing character age while still maintaining the attractiveness of the love interest. This decision reflects the audience’s expectations and preferences, which can perpetuate ageism and gender dynamics in cinema. The perception is the same in the West or here in India. The treatment is different, as the masses are different.
Lastly, It’s heartening to witness actresses like Deepika Padukone, at 38 years old, and Katrina Kaif, at 40, still being cast as leading ladies. It results from their hard work towards their craft and appearance.
As for our superstars, there can only be some, and in the future, there might be none. So, enjoy them while they last.