Huma Qureshi reveals a casting director asked her to take younger roles after ageing characters in 'Maharani' and 'Tarla'

Actress Huma Qureshi candidly discussed the ongoing obstacles faced by outsiders, particularly women, in the Bollywood industry. She emphasised her decision to navigate her career on her own terms despite these challenges.Huma about gatekeeping in BollywoodDuring an interview with India Today, Huma addressed the covert but pervasive gatekeeping that influences which narratives reach audiences and who receives recognition. “There has always been a kind of gatekeeping, and it doesn’t come from one particular person or agency. I think it's a very collective form of gatekeeping,” she shared.“My journey as a woman and an outsider in the industry has not been easy. To this day, there are rooms I don’t have access to. There are so many roles I could play, but those people don’t call me. So, what do I do? Do I sit at home and cry, and think, ‘Mujhe mauka nahi mila’ (I didn’t get a chance), so I’m going to lament?” she added, while reflecting on how a section of Bollywood determines which stories are told and who gets to lead them.Female actors and ageing issuesQureshi also shed light on the unrealistic expectations women actors face regarding age and appearance. She recounted an incident involving a casting director who advised her against portraying mature characters, urging her instead to take on younger roles.“After the success of Maharani and Tarla, which earned me immense love, one casting director called and said, ‘You are such a beautiful woman. Why are you ageing yourself by playing these characters? There are so many other makers who want to work with you. Try to do younger parts.’ And I was like, ‘Why does the burden of playing younger parts always fall on girls? Why are we expected to try and look younger than we are? I’ve done my fair share of singing and dancing around trees, but if a great script comes my way, should I say no to it just because I’m afraid of portraying someone a few years older than me?’”Qureshi further highlighted the tough choices actresses face, noting that she could either undergo cosmetic surgeries and wait for roles or actively choose to collaborate with filmmakers offering meaningful scripts. She emphasised the empowerment that comes from taking control of one’s own career and narrative.Work frontOn the professional front, Huma Qureshi is gearing up for the upcoming season of Maharani 4.