Monojit Lahiri attempts to objectively investigate this contentious issue, diving into generational perceptions of Bollywood heroines, shifting values, cinematic eras, and the ever-evolving balance between nostalgia, charisma, realism, and today’s dazzling performances.

Bollywood Heroines, Golden Age, Contemporary Cinema, Old Vs New, Charisma, Realism, Social Media, Bollywood Legends, Film Industry Evolution, Bollywood Debate, Bollywood Nostalgia, Hindi Film Heroines, Generational Perspectives, Bollywood Transformation, Bollywood Actresses. This article explores the clash of perceptions between past and present heroines, contrasting timeless icons like Madhubala, Waheeda Rehman, and Nutan with today’s actors such as Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra, while investigating how shifting social values, digital media, corporate influence, and globalized audiences have transformed Bollywood storytelling and female representation.

It was a friendly, casual conversation with a respected senior citizen—Uncle, a well-informed and evolved person—that triggered this piece. Open and modern with an impressive bandwidth relating to the here and now, he however shocked the mickey out of me when the subject of Bollywood entered our conversation. Suddenly his facial expression, tone and body language dramatically changed as he cordially confessed that he detested everything the new Bollywood stood for, heroines heading the list!

Trying to search for talent with these creatures, he said, “was like trying to search for moonshine in a carrot!” Be it grace, charm, dignity, beauty, or gifts in expressing the linear truth, they were miles ahead of “today’s scantily clad exhibitionists who made it to the top because their clothes didn’t!” Nargis, Madhubala, Nutan, Meena Kumari, Waheeda, even Sadhana, they chloroformed you with their magic and mystique. “Today’s heroines are faceless and eminently interchangeable with zero uniqueness or special characteristic. Only a Meena Kumari could play Choti Bahu, Nutan play Sujata, Madhubala play Anarkali, Waheeda play Rosie, Nargis play Mother India and Sadhana play Husna…. The modern lot are cardboard cutouts with Bollywood as their mecca and glamour their god. They seem to wholesale sexiness for womanhood. They clearly lack the luminosity and special communion with the camera that their predecessors had. They created fantasies that translated to legend. Today’s lot can impress but can never hope to move you. They do something unique: offend the taste while inflaming the libido!”

As someone who has witnessed both from close quarters, I tried to patiently and logically explain to him the world of difference in times – then & now -that basically defined this sea-change. No value judgement. Just facts.

The Golden Age Of Bollywood
Let’s start with the era of the 50’s–60’s—often referred to as the Golden Age of Bollywood. It was post-independence when idealism, patriotism, virtue and optimism were passionately portrayed, [even romanticized] to an audience–base completely sold on a glowing Bharat focusing on a prosperous future, with hope and confidence. It was also an innocent time when patience ruled and a slow, leisurely pace colored life. Simple, sweet, feel-good, storytelling was the order of the day: Handsome, brave and chivalrous heroes, beautiful heroines, cruel villains, seductive vamps, comical, loud comedians, classy lyricists, composers, and singers whose melodies resonate even today. Sexy, dark, esoteric or intellectually driven subjects were seldom attempted. Movies of that period [to that generation] were a glorious distraction, vehicles designed to transport them to a never-never-land of happiness without barriers. Since there was no baggage, dynamism, judgmentalism, pessimism etc., had not entered the frame. Purity, belief, faith, trust, virtues victory over evil – all these dictated their simple black & white lives.

Filmmakers And Their Cultural Commitment
Next, let’s move on to filmmakers who headlined that era. Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Mehboob Khan, and B.R. Chopra were some who led from the front. Their stories appealed to both, the head and heart, frequently extracted from renowned classics from literature or social commentaries that either celebrated life or explored the ironies and contradictions of life in an engaging simple, uncomplicated manner. These filmmakers culturally rich were dedicated professionals single mindedly committed to provide entertainment that, consciously or subliminally had a meaningful point to make. Except for some outright comedies, there were seldom mindless masala catering to the lowest common denominator. Commercial gains didn’t overwhelm their focus. They went with their heart.

Actors too were pretty much on the same page. Passionate and dedicated, they totally surrendered to the vision of their directors who they believed was the captain of the ship. Discussions and interactions regarding issues did happen, but seldom did ego or money-driven manipulation play the starring role. Respect and obedience were the order of the day and a happy family spirit prevailed.

Entertainment choices too were totally limited, and movies were the great leveler. Caste, creed, language, religion, region, and social status all went for a toss when popular stars graced the screens in darkened halls. It was truly magic time and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, a willful suspension of disbelief held total sway.

Changing Times, Social Media, And Market Forces
Significantly, the Frankenstein of social media was still of distant dream and magic, mystique, privacy, exclusivity, distance and the element of unattainability of stars remained intact. That gave them aura that intangible quality that is impossible to explain but easy to identify. It was one of their greatest assets. There was no Kapil Sharma Show, Koffee with Karan, or zillion podcasts to reveal the person behind the mask. This destroys charisma. And as for the role of social media where facts – imagined, manufactured or real – bombard every media vehicle, the less said the better. Also with the advent of Corporates and PR into the industry, films today appear to be made and sold as FMCG products not creative expressions of the youngest art form.

Fact of the matter is that since change is the only constant, perspective is critical. That was then. This is now. The meaning, role and significance of innocence, virtue, trust, faith, belief and loyalty have undergone a sea–change. We live in dystopian times, and since cinema reflects the time, we live in, complexity and turbulence will come into play. Realism has overtaken romanticism and idealism and the ‘means justify the end’ philosophy has entered our lives with all cylinder’s firing. Goodness is no longer automatically perceived as a great human virtue but rather seen as something naive, even silly that needs re-looking! That era, filmmakers, subjects, actors, environment and circumstances is a planet away from today’s hugely cut-throat competitive times where manipulation, setting-fitting and camps are considered smart career moves.

Today’s Heroines And Their Resilience
Yet, despite these changes, the new heroines have been able to offer intensely engaging performances that have impacted the new-age audiences in heart, mind and spirit. Different strokes for different folks. In these fast-paced liberalised, coke-pizza, promiscuous times when audiences are spoilt for choices and corrupted by flashy glitz, glamour and gloss in a consumerism-driven universe, the challenges to stand out and make a difference is way more demanding, testing and formidable. However, they have accepted this task, thrown their hat in the ring and indeed emerged with flying colours. Few will argue, doubt or deny the excellence of heroin-driven films like English Vinglish, Queen, No One Killed Jessica, Mary Kom, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Raazi, Mom, Kahaani, Chandni Bar, Thappad, Arth, Bhumika, Mrityudand, Pink, Thank You for Coming, Mrs ____ among others. If there are no Sujatas, Pyasas or Awara’s it’s because cinema reflects the times we live in and those have moved from sight to memory. Will they rock with today’s new-age audiences, hugely exposed to world cinema at the click of button, supremely lacking in patience and forever seduced by instant gratification and both unfamiliar and bored by the so called nostalgia celebrated by oldies? Woh Kissa aur kabhi!

Fact is, while no one denies the luminosity and charisma of earlier beauties, the Priyankas, Deepikas, Sridevis, Alias, Kanganas, Preeti, Rani, Kajol, Kareenas, Shabana, Smitas, Ash and Madhus – they have all risen to the occasion when called for with rare vitality and delivered knockout performances in material they have participated in.

Remember you are only as good as your script, role and director. They didn’t have the luxury of a Mehboob Khan, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt or Raj Kapoor, nor did they enjoy the security of a patient, loyal and loving audience–base. Also, the market forces were not so fickle, nor competition so vicious. It was all easy-going and films were made aaram se with everyone working like a family. PR agencies and social media didn’t exist and while there certainly were publications and editors who were known for manufacturing scandal/gossip, overall it was a peaceful environment which was conducive to the creation of quality work. Today’s heroines must fight overwhelming odds on all fronts, to deliver the goods.

So, at the end of the day, dear Uncle, waqt wqat ki baat hain.
We live in tricky, turbulent times with Bollywood, perceived as a universe of stars, a factory of power with rotating constellations of success and failure. Every person here creates his/her own image which is frequently exalted or ruined, held aloft in the light or burned out by his/her luminosity. It is forever a merry-go-round, up-the-down-staircase, musical chairs where Friday rules destinies. In this cathartic, uncertain demanding and daunting environment would earlier heroines be able to perform as effectively as our present-day dazzles! Could they ever cope, tackle, or counter the zillion attacks every day on their personalities through social media? Could they ever be as self-vigilant as this lot, blending intelligence with diplomacy at every public platform.

In conclusion, while we certainly salute the charisma of yesterday’s beauties, but please accept, admit and acknowledge the chutzpah of today’s dazzlers, molded but never mastered by circumstances.