How Did Tanishaa Mukerji Unlearn The Idea That '30 Means It's Over'?

If you still see Nikki when you think of Tanishaa Mukerji, you might be in for a revelation. Beyond her well-known persona as an industry personality and empowered woman, Tanishaa’s journey is infused with profound spirituality and inner strength that deserves a wider audience. Our conversation unveiled a side of her that offered much more than what meets the eye.

When I asked Tanishaa what’s the one thing that inspired her to pursue what she’s doing, as she’s been in the entertainment industry since 2003, she paused for a moment, and a smile gradually spread across her face. And the response that followed was, "I'd kind of given up on Bollywood; I'd kind of given up on acting; I'd kind of given up on everything."

A Turning Point in Tanishaa's Journey: Overcoming Societal Expectations

She continued, "There was a point after my dad passed away, and I had finished Neal n Nikki along with a few other films that did not do well. At 30, society made me feel like my life was over. They made it seem like my time was up, and it was time to get married or do something else. Hence, I had kind of given up."

During this challenging period, Tanishaa found herself at a crossroads, feeling disheartened and almost ready to give up, a turning point came when a younger friend provided a fresh perspective. She shared, "This friend told me, ‘What’s wrong with you? You’re not that old; you have your whole life ahead of you.’ It made me see my life differently. It took me out of that "over" zone, whatever that thing was, and I really appreciated it from that person."

She also emphasised the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people who can offer a different, uplifting view of life, helping us see the best version of ourselves. "So you know, it's very important to create a good network of people around you that support you, uplift you, and see you from a different perspective than you see yourself, because sometimes when you look at yourself through your friend's eyes, you see a better version of yourself than you might see through your own eyes," she said.

In further conversation with SheThePeople, Tanishaa spoke about breaking the stereotypes perpetuated by the industry and choosing to follow her own path rather than conforming to what society expected of her," I did not follow what society claimed was ideal (she made air quotes with her fingers), I was not one of those, like most actresses at that time. By the age of 30 or 32, they were married and having kids, but I wasn't in that space.”

Not just that, Tanishaa also shared how she moved past these age fiascos and age-related expectations that often confine women, "After that point in my life, I stopped measuring myself by age. It’s the conditioning that ages us, not the years. If you start feeling old, you become old. If you start feeling fat, you become fat. If you start feeling stupid, you become stupid. Whatever you start feeling about yourself, you become.”

Perspective on Self-Perception and Empowerment

Tanishaa, who at this point of the interview showcased her emotional strength, now shifted to discussing her physical resilience—a trait we all witnessed when she made waves on a dance reality show, proving her prowess and determination. She said, "A woman at any age can do anything. Your body will respond to how you think. I practise a lot of yoga, which teaches you to connect your thoughts with your body and breathe. And I think I've proved it with my journey on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11 that a woman at any age can do anything."

The actor also shared a profound insight inspired by Sadhguru’s wisdom on our body: "He once said, ‘Your body is a Ferrari, and you’re driving it like a scooter. Learn to drive it like a Ferrari.’ That line struck a chord with me. It’s a powerful metaphor for realising our potential. We often drive our bodies like scooters, underestimating their capabilities. But imagine if we embraced our true strength and learned to operate like a Ferrari—it’s like transforming our ride into a spaceship."

Caught up in the moment, an unplanned question slipped out, and I asked her how she was feeling at that moment if she believed that everything hinges on one’s feelings. Tanishaa responded without wasting another second, "I’m feeling amazing—feminine, graceful, and young. That’s why I’m wearing a saree today. I love my sarees."

Ever Felt Gender Bias?

Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I’ve worked in situations where my voice was not heard. I remember being in meetings surrounded by men; every time I offered an idea, it was ignored. But the moment a man repeated my exact idea, the room would respond enthusiastically. This is such a typical Indian culture where the female voice is often overlooked."

Tanishaa emphasised the uphill battle women face, noting, "You have to be in a position of power or be very smart to get your point across.” Yet, she remains hopeful that things are evolving, "I know Indian culture has changed over the years because more women are entering different fields they never used to be in before. it's amazing that the female voice is getting stronger and stronger every day."

Insight into the Mother-Daughter Relationship

She had earlier talked much about her bond with the veteran actor and her mother Tanuja, which was relatable just like every other mother-daughter duo. But in our conversation, she shared one thing she wishes more people understood about this relationship. She said, "What most people forget about the mother-daughter bond is the spiritual aspect of it. There is a very big spiritual aspect to two women being born from each other. She is me, and I am just her. I am a reflection of her."

She described her relationship with her mother as a mirror, explaining, "My mother is my mirror. The things I am irritated about in her are qualities in me that I don’t like." Tanishaa also touched on the profound connection between generations, noting, "Science has discovered that the grandmother actually carries the grandchild in her womb. A woman is born with all her eggs, so when I was in my mother’s womb, my ovaries for my child were carried by my mother, and I was carried by my grandmother."

She also urged our readers to explore this concept, claiming it’s the divine feminine, "There is a very deep feminine energy connection. I wish people knew what divine feminine is, as it's a very strong energy."

In conclusion, the actor, who is also an environmentalist, spoke about her NGO, the Stamp Foundation, which is not just a great initiative but has an intention too. "I started this many years ago with the idea to plant trees and create a bigger plan to reduce India’s carbon footprint. It’s about cleanup drives, reducing plastic, educating children, and raising awareness. I realised I cannot have a full life unless I contribute to my environment, my country, and the people around me."

That was it for the readers, but during the interview, I got an unexpected bonus. I witnessed the beautiful greenery surrounding her home, a lush landscape lovingly cultivated by her grandmother.