Mona Singh says she has never worried about her on-screen age, choosing strong characters over image concerns. She calls out the industry’s double standards where women face age limits while men do not
Mona Singh
Mona Singh is enjoying a strong phase in her career. In recent years, the actress has been part of several interesting films and series, experimenting with a wide range of roles. She has delivered critically acclaimed performances in Netflix shows Kaala Paani and The Bads of Bollywood, as well as Prime Video’s Made in Heaven 2. She has also played prominent roles in films such as Munjya, Happy Patel, and the upcoming Border 2. However, many of her on-screen roles depict characters much older than her real age. Notably, she played Aamir Khan’s mother in Laal Singh Chaddha, despite being younger than the superstar in real life.
Mona Singh on women's age on screen
Talking to PTI, Mona Singh said that she never cared about her on-screen age. She finds it strange that there is an expiry date attached to women while male stars continue to play romantic roles even in their sixties.
The actor, who plays a challenging role of a cop investigating a woman's murder while dealing with personal tragedy in the second season of Sudip Sharma's hit Netflix show Kohrra, said she has always taken risks and now the time has come to celebrate.
"I have not cared about my on-screen age. I really haven't because I'm very confident and I know who I am. There's nothing to prove, which is why I keep taking risks. People often ask me, 'Why are you so old on screen?' I would say it doesn't matter. It's the character that I'm playing and it really excites me," Singh said.
"You see, it's only in this industry that women come with an expiry date. And it is so sad. Whereas men in their 60s can still play the romantic leads, women can't. But I have never really cared about that because I didn't want to be that," she added.
Mona Singh on success
Singh broke out in a major way with her role of a bespectacled Jassi in her TV debut Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi in 2003 when she was just 22-23. She forayed into movies, playing Kareena Kapoor's elder sister in the 2009 blockbuster "3 Idiots", which also featured Aamir Khan, R Madhvan and Sharman Joshi.
The 44-year-old actor said the feeling that 'she has arrived' came to her when Jassi became a household name but she still does not feel that she has made it.
"I don't get the feeling that I have made it. I got that feeling of 'I have arrived' at the time of 'Jassi'... The feeling that I'm at the right place is now, definitely. I've found my bearings. OTT has given me a lot and still gives. I'm very grateful for that. I'm doing just the right kinds of shows that I wanted to be a part of as an actor... I'm loving this phase.
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