Women over 40 are twice as likely as men to be portrayed through narratives focused on physical aging or cosmetic procedures, rather than professional or personal agency. 4. Behind the Camera: A Stagnant Reality
Despite general parity, representation declines sharply as women age, a phenomenon often called "on-screen erasure."
Conversely, male roles actually increase during this decade, rising from 25% (30s) to 31% (40s).
In 2024, female representation fell from 35% for women in their 30s to just 16% for those in their 40s .
Mature stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Deepika Padukone continue to lead as both actors and producers, serving on international juries (like Cannes) and launching their own production houses.
Out of 225 films featuring a woman over 40 in a lead role, only 6% mentioned menopause , and most instances were used as jokes or "meno-rage" tropes.
A 2025 study from the Geena Davis Institute highlighted that "mature" themes like menopause are still largely ignored or misrepresented:
Films like Crew (2024)—starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon—became commercial juggernauts, grossing over ₹157 crore and proving that ensemble casts featuring mature women can dominate the box office.
