Akash Ranjan Kapoor made headlines this Women’s Day when she took to social media to share her egg-freezing journey, revealing that fear of running out of time drove her to the decision. He didn’t hold back, being open about the highs and lows of the process, from self-administered injections and bloating to mood swings, medication and finally the surgery itself. Through it all, she found herself in awe of what the female body can endure, calling herself ‘extraordinary’. The conversation has now spilled over into her professional life as well, as Akansha admits that Bollywood’s ageist culture weighs heavily on her. “I always feel like I’m getting lost in time,” she admits, even as she prepares for the release of ‘Village Hospital 2’.
the sky injured Kapoor under the age pressure of Bollywood
Reflecting on how quickly time has passed since she first stepped into the industry, Akansha gets candid about the pressures that come with age in Bollywood. “When you start at 18, you think you have your whole life ahead of you. After five or six years, you think Zindagi khatam go goyi hai. You think, Yeh kya ho raha hai! Young people come and these ads call you ‘ma’am’. A few years ago I used to be the youngest person. These changes happen so quickly. You have to understand that everyone will have a different journey. If you’re not a superstar by the time you’re 18, that doesn’t mean you’ll never be successful. People have this idea that you have to start at 18 because you will eventually get married at 28,” she said.
Akansha Ranjan Kapoor says she can bloom at 45
While she was initially under pressure, Akansha says she had a realization that changed her perspective on things. “Yes, I didn’t start my career at 18. Naturally, I don’t have to finish at 28. I can start at 35 and blossom at 45. It’s something I had to convince myself of and it involved a lot of wrestling. You have to keep your feet on the ground,” said the actor. This shift in perspective helped him gain clarity on what was truly important to him. She now believes that ambition doesn’t always have to come at personal expense and that a fulfilling life outside of work is just as important as her career. “I told myself that I can’t stop my life. Zindagi to Jinni Hai. I want to live life to the fullest. I can’t be the person who says lead acting is karingi aur phir maar joongi,” she shares.
Akansha Ranjan Kapoor says women should be allowed to have a life outside of acting
Akansha added, “Not wanting to get married or have kids is not the right approach either. I think you can have a grounded and rounded life with people around you and still try to conquer the world. I think it’s time women are allowed to have a life apart from being an actor. I don’t have to justify it. I shouldn’t leave everything behind and become a blood.”
