The cinematic landscape of Bollywood has long been defined by its rigid hierarchies—the “eternal hero” versus the “disposable heroine.” For decades, the industry operated on a simple, tired formula: leading men could age indefinitely, leaping across decades of onscreen time, while women were often relegated to the sidelines the moment they hit their thirties or walked down the aisle.
However, Sonali Kulkarni, a powerhouse of Indian cinema known for her nuanced performances, believes that the tide is finally turning. In a recent, candid conversation, the Bharat actress addressed the systemic issue of typecasting and the evolving perception of age, marriage, and motherhood in the film industry.
The Myth of the “Expiry Date”
For years, the industry narrative was clear: marriage was the proverbial nail in the coffin for a heroine’s career. It was a pervasive belief that once a woman entered matrimony, her relatability as a romantic lead vanished. Kulkarni remembers those days vividly, but she notes that the industry has undergone a radical transformation.
“There was a time when we used to discuss how women don’t get heroine roles once they marry,” Kulkarni observed. “Do you hear that nowadays? No.”
The actress credits this shift not just to progressive casting directors, but to a fundamental change in the audience’s psyche. She argues that the modern viewer has matured alongside the industry, recognizing that an actor’s personal life—whether they are married or have children—has no bearing on their ability to embody a character. According to Kulkarni, the audience has effectively voted with their viewership, proving that they are just as invested in the narrative arc of a mother or a wife as they are in the “maiden” tropes of the past.
The Global Influence and the Death of “Narrow-Minded” Casting
Kulkarni points to the digital revolution as the primary catalyst for this shift. With the rise of streaming platforms, the Indian audience is now exposed to world-class cinema from across the globe. This accessibility has raised the bar for storytelling.
“In this scenario, I don’t think we have room to complain that girls are getting different roles,” she stated. The era of the one-dimensional heroine is being pushed out by a demand for depth. Kulkarni expresses a distinct lack of sympathy for those who still cling to the rigid demand of being a “hero” in the traditional, singular sense. She believes that the modern actor, regardless of gender, is focused on something far more sustainable: exploration. “I don’t think any actor is that narrow-minded today. Whether a male actor or a female actor, they want to explore their talent.”
Saif Ali Khan: Maturing Like Fine Wine
When discussing actors who have successfully navigated the transition from “chocolate boy” heartthrob to character-driven lead, Kulkarni’s thoughts naturally drifted to her Dil Chahta Hai co-star, Saif Ali Khan.
The two shared the screen in the iconic 2001 film, and watching his trajectory has been, for her, a masterclass in professional evolution. She lauds Saif for his refusal to remain trapped in the “youthful hero” archetype. “If we talk about Saif Ali Khan, he is maturing like a fine wine; he isn’t fearing taking up the role of a young dad who is in love,” Kulkarni said. By embracing roles that reflect his actual stage in life rather than clinging to an artificial image of eternal youth, Saif has preserved his relevance in an industry that is notoriously unforgiving of aging male stars.
Aamir Khan and the Courage of “Dangal”
If Saif is the example of suave maturity, Aamir Khan represents the gold standard of fearlessness for Kulkarni. She points directly to Dangal as the turning point that shattered the traditional superstar mold.
“I don’t think anyone has the courage to do what he has done in Dangal,” Kulkarni noted. She highlighted the sheer audacity of Aamir’s choice: an actor whose posters were once plastered on bedroom walls, with fans dreaming of marrying him, deliberately stripped away that sex appeal to play the middle-aged, greying, paunchy father of four daughters.
“He is presenting himself as the father of three or four daughters without any prosthetics; then he is my hero,” she added. “He is grinding himself fearlessly.” For Kulkarni, Aamir’s performance wasn’t just a role; it was an act of defiance against the vanity that usually dictates Bollywood casting. It proved that a superstar’s command over acting is far more compelling to a modern audience than their ability to maintain a youthful, airbrushed aesthetic.
The Future: A Focus on Craft Over Age
Ultimately, Kulkarni’s message is one of optimism. She believes the competition to “stay young” is a losing battle that truly great actors have already abandoned. The focus is shifting toward the craft itself—a command over one’s performance, the ability to disappear into a role, and the comfort of inhabiting characters that are actually authentic to the actor’s real-life age.
By pointing out that women are no longer being sidelined by domestic milestones and men are no longer defined solely by their ability to play a twenty-something lead, Kulkarni paints a picture of a more meritocratic Bollywood. She concludes, “I don’t think any good actor is stuck in this competition where they want to look young. They are flaunting their talent. By all means, they don’t fear their age.”
As the lines between character actors and stars continue to blur, the industry seems to be finally moving toward a point where the story—not the persona—reigns supreme. And if actors like Sonali Kulkarni, Aamir Khan, and Saif Ali Khan are any indication, the best roles are yet to come, regardless of what the birth certificate says.
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