03 July,2026 08:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Isha Koppikar. Pic via Instagram
Actor Isha Koppikar has spoken out against ageism in the entertainment industry, questioning the double standards that continue to exist for men and women. In a new Instagram reel, the actor reflected on how ageing is celebrated in male actors while women are often judged simply for growing older.
The actor, who has frequently spoken about issues affecting women in the film industry, urged people to shift the conversation from appearance to experience, saying dignity and confidence have no expiry date.
In the video, Isha pointed out how ageing is perceived differently for male and female actors.
"Isn't it strange? A man's ageing is called experience, and a woman's ageing is called a problem. In movies, we see heroes romancing girls who are half their age. They become heroes. That's considered normal," she said.
She went on to question why women are expected to behave differently as they grow older.
"If a woman is stylish, expressive and celebrates her individuality, she is told, 'At this age, please behave your age.' But the truth is, with time, a woman doesn't become less. She becomes deeper. Her confidence doesn't become louder; it becomes stronger. Her beauty is not just in her face. It is seen in her journey. Wrinkles don't just show her age. They show her struggles," she added.
The actor's message quickly resonated online, with many social media users praising her for addressing an issue that continues to affect women both within and beyond the entertainment industry.
Isha further urged people to stop treating ageing as something negative and instead celebrate the life experiences that come with it.
"If every woman is blessed with life, she will age. Your mother, your wife, your sister, your daughter and one day, you yourself. Everyone ages. So don't make ageing an insult. Respect women at every age. Don't look at their age, but look at their journey. Don't look at their skin, but look at their strength," she said.
Sharing the video on Instagram, Isha captioned it, "The world has spent too long defining beauty by age. Maybe real beauty was never about age in the first place," along with hashtags including BeautyRedefined, FearlessWomen and AgeIsButANumber.
On the work front, Isha was last seen in the Tamil sci-fi film Ayalaan alongside Sivakarthikeyan. She is also remembered for her role in Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006), starring Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. Her latest message has once again sparked conversations around gender bias and the need to redefine how society views ageing, especially for women.
