Dia Mirza opens up on ageism in Bollywood; sheds light on casting practices: ‘I don’t believe anyone gets – Times of India

Report on Gender and Age-Based Inequality in the Film Industry

Introduction

This report examines recent statements by actress Dia Mirza regarding systemic ageism and gender bias within the Indian film industry. Speaking at the We The Women 2025 event, Mirza highlighted discriminatory casting practices that marginalize older female actors, a situation that directly contravenes several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on equality and decent work.

Analysis of Industry Practices and Disparities

Ms. Mirza identified a significant double standard in industry casting norms, which perpetuates harmful stereotypes and limits professional opportunities for women. The core issues raised include:

• Casting Disparity: It is common practice to cast male actors in their 50s, 60s, and 70s in romantic lead roles, often opposite much younger female co-stars.
• Lack of Reciprocity: The reverse scenario, where a woman in her 60s or 70s is cast as a romantic lead opposite a man in his 40s, is described as almost unimaginable.
• Perceptions of Desirability: The industry’s inability to envision older women in central, desirable roles is a primary driver of this inequality. This limits the complexity and visibility of female characters on screen as they age.
• Reclaiming Agency: Ms. Mirza asserted that women must define their own career trajectories and relevance, stating, “I don’t believe anyone gets to decide when a woman peaks… We decide that for ourselves.”

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The issues highlighted by Ms. Mirza are directly relevant to the global agenda for sustainable development. The discriminatory practices in the film industry represent a failure to uphold principles outlined in the following SDGs:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The practice of sidelining older actresses while celebrating older actors is a clear manifestation of gender-based discrimination. This undermines SDG 5’s target to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The film industry, as a powerful cultural institution, has a responsibility to promote positive and equitable gender portrayals, thereby contributing to the empowerment of women in the public sphere.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   Ageism creates significant barriers to employment and career longevity for women in the acting profession. This practice is inconsistent with SDG 8, which advocates for full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women, without discrimination. Ensuring equal opportunities for roles, regardless of age, is essential for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth within the creative industries.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The double standard in casting is a form of inequality based on the intersection of age and gender. SDG 10 aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, or other status. By challenging these norms, the industry can take a crucial step toward reducing inequalities and ensuring that on-screen representation reflects a more just and equitable society.

Conclusion

The commentary provided by Dia Mirza serves as a critical assessment of the film industry’s failure to align with fundamental principles of equality and sustainability. Her call to action is for a systemic shift in casting and narrative creation, urging the industry to move towards practices that guarantee dignity, visibility, and equal opportunity for women at all stages of their careers. Achieving this would represent a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of gender equality (SDG 5), decent work (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article directly addresses the unequal treatment of women in the Bollywood film industry. Dia Mirza highlights a significant double standard where older male actors are celebrated and cast in romantic roles, while female actors face marginalization and a lack of opportunities as they age. This points to systemic gender-based discrimination, a core concern of SDG 5.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The issue of ageism affects the professional lives and employment opportunities of actresses. The article discusses how women are “pushed aside” and “denied the right to age with visibility,” which directly impacts their ability to secure decent work and sustain their careers in the film industry. This connects to SDG 8’s goal of promoting full and productive employment for all.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article is centered on the inequality faced by women based on the intersection of age and gender. Dia Mirza’s statement that “the rules about who is allowed to age on screen and remain desirable are very different for men and women” explicitly points to an inequality of opportunity and outcome within a specific industry, which SDG 10 aims to eliminate.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” The article’s focus on ageism is a clear example of discrimination against women in the professional sphere, where their value and opportunities are diminished based on their age in a way that does not apply to their male colleagues.
   • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” The struggle for older actresses to be cast in leading, “desirable” roles is a struggle for equal opportunity and full participation in the economic and public life of the film industry.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The article implies that older actresses are denied “full and productive employment” due to discriminatory casting practices. The fight to remain visible and relevant is a fight for decent work opportunities that are afforded to their male counterparts of the same age and experience.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex…” Dia Mirza’s advocacy is a direct call to promote the social and economic inclusion of older women in Bollywood, challenging an industry norm that excludes them based on age and sex.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices…” The article critiques the discriminatory casting “patterns” and “double standards” that lead to an inequality of outcome for actresses. Mirza’s call to “rewrite expectations” is an appeal to eliminate these practices and ensure equal opportunity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official statistical indicators, but it strongly implies several qualitative and quantitative measures that could be used to track progress:

• Proportion of leading roles for older actors, by gender: The article’s central point is the disparity in roles for older men versus older women. An indicator would be the number and percentage of leading roles given to women over 40 compared to men over 40, 50, and 60.
• Age difference in on-screen romantic pairings: Dia Mirza notes, “I’m cast opposite actors in their late 50s, 60s, and even 70s,” but that the reverse is “unimaginable.” A measurable indicator would be the average age gap in on-screen couples, specifically tracking instances where the female lead is significantly older than her male counterpart.
• Prevalence of public and industry discourse on ageism: The article itself, reporting on the “We The Women 2025” event, is an example of this indicator. An increase in public conversations, industry panels, and media coverage dedicated to this issue would signify progress in acknowledging the problem.
• Changes in casting policies and norms: Progress could be measured by the adoption of industry-wide policies or guidelines that promote inclusive casting and challenge age and gender-based stereotypes, moving away from the current “casting patterns” mentioned in the article.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com