Tabu says that society is more concerned about women’s age than theirs.
Actress Tabu talks about how women in cinema are judged more harshly on the basis of age and reflects on the pressures female actors face in the industry. The actress also shared why she never hid her real reasons for rejecting films.
Actress Tabu has talked about the way women are judged on the basis of aging in cinema, saying that society is more concerned about a woman’s age than it is about women. In a recent interview with harper’s bazaar indiaThe actor reflected on the constant scrutiny faced by female artists and how the conversation around aging is often shaped by public perception rather than personal experience.
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Tabu said, “People are more concerned about your age than your age. They want to show you a mirror, as if there is no mirror in your house.” According to the actor, it is a gradual process that people live with every single day rather than a sudden change overnight.
“The person answering that question has not aged overnight. We experience it every day. It is not like one day one wakes up 20 years old and the next day one turns 45,” he said.
Why does Tabu believe the conversation about aging is unfair to women?
Tabu suggested that women in the film industry are viewed more harshly when it comes to age and appearance. Their comments highlight how public discussions about aging often become more about judgment than reality.
The actor, who is known to maintain an extremely private and down-to-earth persona, said that society imposes concerns about aging on women, especially those who are in the public eye. Her comments come amid a broader discussion in the entertainment industry about beauty standards, longevity and the pressure on female actors to look older.
What did Tabu tell about rejecting films?
During the same interview, Tabu also opened up about being advised not to give honest reasons for turning down film offers. He revealed that industry insiders often encourage actors to avoid directly criticizing the script and instead blame scheduling conflicts.
“You shouldn’t give any real reason for not doing the film. Give the excuse of dates and go away,” he recalled being told. “I don’t get it. If I don’t like the script, I don’t like it. And I said so.”
Which projects is Tabu currently working on?
Talking about the work front, Tabu was last seen in ghost bangla With Akshay Kumar. Directed by Priyadarshan, the horror-comedy releases in theaters on April 17, 2026.
She is set to reunite with Nagarjuna Akkineni in his 100th film, tentatively titled king100. The two actors last shared screen space in the 1998 Telugu film Avida Maa Avide And before that in the 1996 hit Ninne Peladata. The project, directed by Naveen Karthik, went on floors in April this year.