Women Have an Expiry Date in Industry, Men Don’t: Mona Singh Opens Up on Career Risks

Actor Mona Singh has spoken candidly about ageism in the entertainment industry, saying it is “strange and unfair” that women are often treated as having an expiry date, while male actors continue to play romantic leads well into their sixties.

“I have never cared about my on-screen age,” Singh said, adding that the industry’s mindset places unnecessary limitations on women. “Why should age define the kind of roles women can play, when men are allowed to romance heroines decades younger than them?”

The actor is currently enjoying a strong phase in her career, backed by a string of critically acclaimed performances across streaming platforms. Singh has earned praise for her roles in Netflix shows Kaala Paani and The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, as well as Prime Video’s Made in Heaven 2. On the big screen, she has featured in notable films such as Munjya, Happy Patel, and the upcoming Border 2.

In the second season of Sudip Sharma’s hit Netflix series Kohrra, Singh plays a police officer investigating a woman’s murder while grappling with personal loss. The role, layered with emotional depth and restraint, has once again highlighted her versatility as an actor.

Reflecting on her journey, Singh said she has never shied away from taking risks, even when safer choices were available. “I’ve always believed in doing roles that challenge me, even if they don’t fit into conventional expectations. I think that’s what has kept me relevant,” she said.

The actor added that the current phase of her career feels particularly rewarding. “This is the time to celebrate. The kind of stories being told today, especially on OTT platforms, are allowing women to exist as real, complex characters—not just as love interests.”

Singh’s remarks have reignited conversations around ageism and gender disparity in the film and television industry, at a time when audiences are increasingly embracing content-driven performances over stereotypical casting norms.