Veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah recently shared how her decision to embrace her natural grey hair, encouraged by her husband Naseeruddin Shah, impacted her acting career, leading to fewer offers but also a profound sense of liberation.
Embracing Her True Self
Ratna Pathak Shah, now known for her distinctive grey hair, revealed she stopped coloring it over a decade ago. This wasn’t a pre-planned style statement, but rather a personal move towards accepting the natural process of aging.
She candidly admitted that while the change sometimes “annoyed” her initially, overall, it proved to be a “profitable idea” in a deeper, more personal sense.
Naseeruddin Shah’s Encouragement
The decision to let her hair go natural was significantly influenced by her husband, the acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah.
Ratna shared that Naseer encouraged her to stop coloring her hair, and she described the experience as an immense “release” from the constant pressure of maintaining a youthful appearance.
Navigating Bollywood’s Youth Obsession
The entertainment industry is widely known for its obsession with youth, often leading actors to opt for cosmetic procedures to defy age. Ratna believes that constantly fighting the “inevitabilities of life” ultimately makes one appear “foolish.”
This philosophy guided her choice to embrace her age gracefully, despite being aware of the potential professional challenges it might bring in a highly image-conscious field.
The Impact on Work Opportunities
While personally liberating, Ratna found that her decision to go grey did indeed affect her work opportunities. She observed that male actors her age often continue to color their hair, creating a mismatch that limited her casting opposite them.
She humorously noted that she quickly found herself categorized into “dadi-nani” (grandmother) roles, which are often limited in scope within Indian cinema. Despite this, she emphasizes the value of authenticity.
The Value of Authenticity
Despite a potential decrease in traditional lead roles, Ratna underscored the importance of accepting her “humanness” as an actor. She highlighted that even with white hair, she has received good and meaningful roles.
This journey reflects her belief that authenticity is crucial for an actor, even if it means navigating a different path in a demanding industry.
- Ratna Pathak Shah stopped coloring her hair over a decade ago, influenced by her husband Naseeruddin Shah.
- She found the decision personally liberating, despite admitting it reduced her work offers in the youth-obsessed industry.
- Ratna believes embracing one’s natural age and “humanness” is essential for an actor, even if it leads to different role categories.
Ratna Pathak Shah was last seen in the 2023 film Dhak Dhak and remains beloved for her iconic role in the television series Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of self-acceptance and authenticity in a demanding profession.
