Chitrangda Singh, the Bollywood actress known for her roles in films like "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" and "Desi Boyz," recently shared her perspective on the pressures of aging in the film industry. In a recent interview, the actress, who was recently cast opposite Salman Khan in the upcoming film "Battle of Galwan," addressed the ongoing conversation surrounding age and representation in Bollywood.
Singh, born on August 30, 1975, began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. She gained recognition for her performance in Sudhir Mishra's "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" in 2005. Over the years, she has appeared in various films, including "Yeh Saali Zindagi," "Baazaar," and "Bob Biswas". She also ventured into production with the sports drama "Soorma" in 2018.
The casting of Singh in "Battle of Galwan" has been applauded by fans for its age-appropriateness, a departure from the common trend of older male actors being paired with much younger female leads. Singh acknowledged the film industry's visual nature, stating that actors need to be able to convincingly portray characters of different ages. "It exists for everybody. All said and done, it's a visual medium. If you are playing a 70-year-old, you should look like it, and if you want to be cast as a 30-year-old, you have to be able to pull it off. That's a practical way of looking at it".
Singh also noted that the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance is not limited to Bollywood. She pointed to international stars like Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore as examples of individuals who work to maintain their looks. She admitted that actors face pressure in many ways.
Acknowledging filmmakers' expectations, Singh stated that it is fair for producers to consider appearance when casting. She also noted that male actors face similar pressures, citing Akshay Kumar's dedication to fitness and diet. "It goes for male actors as well. Akki (Akshay Kumar) works on his fitness, watches what he eats".
Singh highlighted the positive changes occurring in the industry regarding opportunities for female actors. She mentioned actresses like Vidya Balan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who are doing great work and securing substantial roles. "The times have changed so much. Vidya (Balan) is doing so much work. All these actors still hold so much screen presence, they are all getting cast so much". She also said that there is a lot of work being written for mature women.
In a June 2025 interview, Singh addressed the issues of pay disparity and evolving opportunities for actresses over 40. She expressed optimism about the changes, acknowledging that while the industry has come a long way, change takes time.
Singh's career began with modeling for various brands before her acting debut. She gained recognition for her role in "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi". Her filmography includes movies like "Desi Boyz", "Inkaar", and "Baazaar". In 2018, she debuted as a producer with "Soorma", a film based on the life of hockey player Sandeep Singh. Singh's recent projects include "Housefull 5".
With her recent casting in "Battle of Galwan", Chitrangda Singh is contributing to the evolving conversation around aging, image, and representation in cinema.
