Saturday, November 24, 2007

Being a Bit Older

In the office library this evening, I was flipping through the latest Outlook magazine and chanced upon an article about the return of Madhuri Dixit in the soon-to-be-released film ‘Aaja Nachle’. The article was about how she reigned as the queen of Bollywood for nearly a decade and went on to wonder whether she would still make an impression as the younger generation had found other, newer idols.

What hit me when I was reading the article was a line that mentioned her as this 42-year old. She is 42? One, she doesn’t look that old. More importantly, it made me think of myself in a different light altogether. Madhuri was the idol, ideal woman when I was growing up. She starred in all the films that was, for us, the cult films of the day, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and the rest. We grew up admiring her clothes, her looks. If she is 42, what does that make us?

My friend Raksha is forever cribbing about us growing old. Today was a reminder on the same lines too. Age is catching up, I suppose. I no longer drool over the latest teen obsessions, be it Ranbir Kapoor or the latest music sensation (are there any boys on the scene? God I don’t even know that!). I no longer care to giggle except with really really close friends. I am not a teen, I don’t read chick-lit, I don’t watch school/teen movies anymore. I prefer a set of close friends only. I look around at CafĂ© Coffee Day and see that most are much younger than I am. I no longer copy the latest trends/phrases from the latest teen flick. I no longer think trousers that droop dangerously below the waist for guys is cool. My parents, like all parents, are hankering after me to "settle down"; I admit they sometimes make me think I am already an old hag. I am almost two years into the profession I am in. I like intelligent conversation, I read more "mature books", I like films that make me think (ok, most times at least).

I still think of Madhuri Dixit as someone from my time. I am still nostalgic about her films. I am quite looking forward to watching her new comeback movie. I will turn all of 24 in exactly three days time. Does that make me old? I don’t think so, I don’t feel old, maybe just a little older that’s all.

4 comments:

all i feel, all i think ! said...

well its another illustration that age will never b a barrier for achievers whether its in cinema,any art academics or any profession/passion for that matter....
happy b'day in advance :)

Ashley said...

Happy Birthday and NO you are NOT old!!! I figure if Preity Zinta and Aishwarya Rai (and Carmen Electra, Kate Beckinsale, and Heidi Klum) are still popular and are the same age as I am, then I am doing just fine!!

silentyogi said...

that was a wonderful post. i am thinking about writn about my ideas about aging .

we cant stop aging.. life is a one way trip... :)

Deepa Bhasthi said...

thanks for the wishes everyone.
thanks Ashley, I know i'm not old but here in India, a 24 year old is made to feel so, believe me. u r doing just fine, not to worry!