11 November,2025 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar
Susan Sarandon (second from right) takes the crowd’s applause with her co-actors on stage. Pic Courtesy/antoinefleury on YouTube
In the seventh age of her life, instead of slipping into lean pantaloons, as the Bard famously suggests, Susan Sarandon stepped debuted on the UK stage earlier this month in Tracy Lett's Mary Page Marlowe. But it is not always an easy transition to make.
Susan Sarandon. Pic/Getty Images
Even the 79-year-old Sarandon admitted to being "terrified and excited" in an interview to the UK Vogue. But how does one push past the fear of perceptions to shift lanes in the second half of your life? Three seniors from Mumbai spill the beans about owning this journey and savouring their experience.
I learned Bharatanatyam during my school years, and would accompany my father at community events. But when I got married at the age of 22, the focus shifted to education and marriage. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic when I returned to my old hobby. I would choreograph songs for my friends' group to share on WhatsApp as a fun activity. When a teenage neighbour in the housing colony asked if anyone wants to join an online Bollywood dance class, I signed up.
My children helped to set up a YouTube channel for me. In fact, Anushka [her neighbour] joined me in a choreography of âAaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai' from the film, Guide. I was initially hesitant to share my videos online. When Waheeda Rehman was nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2023, the video went viral. Many people thought it was her [she laughs].
The validation gave me a sense of confidence to try more dance forms. It does not always work. I attended a Bollywood dance workshop. While it was fun, I realised that the steps were too fast and not for me. That does not worry me at all. At this age, I have discovered a sense of freedom. There is no need to do things perfectly. It is fine to accept that your body has limitations. Even on YouTube, I just post something I liked doing for the fun of it. No matter your age, do something you love. Start slow, and you will realise that the joy of doing it will push the negativity away.
Log on to @mayookha on YouTube
My profession was in the textile industry in Indore for over 40 years. While I was on this break, I signed up for an acting class in 2022-23. My wife put me up to it. As luck would have it, I ended up discovering a whole new career, and acting in movies, and series. When I joined the class, my peers were all teenagers or in their 20s. My acting teachers would treat me as a senior, sometimes. I would refuse, and sit on the ground just like the other students. Being with youngsters helps you to forget your age.
It is not difficult to start anew. But it requires one important thing - forget the past. You have to start again at the bottom. That is where most people struggle. Learn to be unafraid to embarrass yourself. Forget what others are doing, or what your children would think. Let go of that part. Otherwise you will wallow in the past, and your body grows sick.
Log on to@kumar_arvindupadhyay
I was in my 50s when my daughter wanted to sign up for a Shiamak Davar batch. I remember asking her âWho is Shiamak Davar?' She was so embarrassed. It was a 45-minute drive to Juhu, and I was bored of waiting. Instinctively, I asked someone at the troupe if I could sign up, too. They said yes, and I did. I was the oldest in the troupe, and my daughter was the youngest member. I haven't stopped since.
Venkateswaran Akhileshwaran with Aamir Khan
In fact, I met many choreographers during this who called me over for auditions. You might see me in the opening song of Jagga Jasoos. I did a music video with Armaan Malik, and even with Aamir Khan in the closing track for Sitaare Zameen Par (2025).
In Sitaare Zameen Par. Pic Courtesy/Zee Music Company on YouTube
The "keeda" for dance was always there from college, I suppose. But we are in a culture or society where people of a certain age are told to behave a certain way. If you think of yourself as old, your brain accepts it. Retain your sense of fun. It is always better to start early in life, but start. Otherwise, you will lose out on the little time you have. Just take care of your health. As long as you are healthy, you are free.
Log on to @venkyuncle
