Manasi Parekh Says ‘Big Producers’ Cautioned Her Against Marriage: ‘They Said I’d Get Fat’ | Exclusive – News18

Last Updated:November 19, 2024, 04:44 IST

Manasi Parekh says actresses shouldn’t be embarrassed about their age. She recalls being dissuaded from marrying during her debut.

2024 has been rather special for Manasi Parekh. Not only did she mark two decades as an actor but also won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kutch Express. However, her initial days in the entertainment industry was no cakewalk. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Manasi opens up on how she was dissuaded from getting married to her then boyfriend, musician Parthiv Gohil. “I was married in the middle of India Calling shoot. So, my career started and I got married. A lot of people told me, ‘What are you doing? You just started out!’” she says.

She goes on to reveal that she was cautioned against tying the knot as she would gain weight that would lead her to lose out on work. “Big producers have come to me and told me that I would get fat after marriage and that main apne khud ke pair pe kulhaadi maar rahi hoon. I’m sure they said these things out of goodwill but I don’t know how fatness and marriage are related. Maybe they meant that I would become complacent after marriage,” she recalls.

Manasi further adds, “They went on to tell me that I won’t be able to do any work because nobody would cast me. I never wanted to follow the route and even then, I knew that this is the path that I want to choose for myself. I wanted to be with Parthiv and see where it takes me. I’m glad I followed my gut. No one can make life rules for you. If you’ve conviction and if you’re working well and working hard, kaam aata hi rahega. All these perceptions that a woman won’t get work post marriage didn’t happen to me.”

However, she’s happy with the way things are changing for women in cinema today. Citing a few examples, she states, “I’m very vocal about the fact that women should be accepted for the age that they’re in. People used to say earlier that once you hit 40, your career and shelf life is over. But look at all these incredible actresses like Konkona Sensharma, Shefali Shah and Tabu! They’re iconic women and are still working. In fact, I think that they’re getting better with age. Ratna (Pathak Shah) ben is a true icon, according to me. She told me that this is the most work that she has ever done.”

Getting older, according to Manasi, should rather be an upside rather than a deal-breaker. Recalling her conversation with Shruti Seth, she remarks, “She’s a stunning actor. She was telling me that the age that she’s in should be the end of an actress’ career but that she looks at it as the best phase of her career and she’s looking forward to where her journey takes her. I think age should be appreciated and rejoiced rather than be shamed or embarrassed about. If you’re a good actor, you’ll be ageless and people will keep writing good roles for you.”