Do women carry a heavier burden when it comes to juggling work and family life? That's the question sparking debate, especially after actress Deepika Padukone recently voiced her thoughts on the importance of work-life balance, particularly in the context of demanding eight-hour shifts. Padukone, now navigating motherhood with her baby daughter Dua, has highlighted the challenges of balancing a thriving career with the responsibilities of raising a child.
But the discussion surrounding work-life balance for actresses ignited following her decisions to step away from projects like 'Spirit' and the 'Kalki 2898 AD' sequel. And this is the part most people miss... it's not just about personal preference, but also about the industry's demands and expectations.
Adding to the conversation, acclaimed actress Konkona Sen Sharma, promoting her new show 'Search: The Naina Murder Case,' shared her perspective on the issue. She emphasized that the responsibility of balancing work and family often disproportionately falls on women. "It's very normalised in a way," Konkona stated in an interview with Hindustan Times. "That aspect of it is something that I have also dealt with for many years – the balance of handling things at home and at work."
Konkona further elaborated on the emotional rollercoaster this balancing act can create. "On a good day, I feel I have a rich and fulfilling life with so many aspects to it that even if one is a little down, one can look at the other one. But on some days, I do feel ‘I don’t know how I am going to manage this’. Sometimes you fail, or on other days you succeed, or maybe fail less. That’s a nice way of putting it." She paints a realistic picture, acknowledging that the struggle is real and that perfection is unattainable.
Konkona also touched upon the evolving landscape of opportunities for women in the entertainment industry, particularly those over 40. She expressed pleasant surprise at the increasing availability of substantial roles, adding, "I am very pleasantly surprised by this, and also that the characters I am playing don’t require me to pretend to be much younger. A lot of men and women were doing that in the big theatrical films a few years ago.”
She acknowledged that while progress has been made, with the industry shifting its focus from 'women over 30' to 'women over 40,' there's still ground to cover. But here's where it gets controversial... Are these opportunities truly equal, or are they still limited by societal expectations and stereotypes?
Konkona playfully highlighted the ageism that still lingers, stating, "You always say women above 40, never above 50. Even if you are above 50, you say you are above 40. That’s a neat trick. But we'll get there." This remark underscores the pressure women face to downplay their age, even as the industry makes strides towards greater inclusivity.
This raises a critical question: Is the entertainment industry genuinely embracing older actresses, or is it merely paying lip service to the idea? Are the roles offered to women over 40 truly empowering and complex, or are they often relegated to stereotypical portrayals? What are your thoughts? Do you believe the burden of balancing work and family falls more heavily on women, and is the entertainment industry doing enough to provide equal opportunities for women of all ages? Share your opinions in the comments below!
