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Actor Rajini Chandy Trolled For A Photoshoot That Defied Society's Perception Of Older Women

"A lot of young men find sexiness in older women disturbing, they don't want to think of them as an object of desire. But what I found surprising was that most of the negative comments were made by women," she concluded.

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Akshita Chugh
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Rajini Chandy, Rajini Chandy Trolled Photoshoot, women over 50

Home-maker turned actor Rajini Chandy was bombarded with sexist and ageist remarks for a photo shoot last week. While people congratulated the 69-year-old for breaking stigmas around ageing, some critics slut-shamed her. Shot by Athira Joy, a 29-year-old photographer known for her unorthodox work, the pictures show Chandy wearing everything in between saris, ripped jeans, denim dresses and jumpsuits.

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According to Joy, Indian women spend their lives caged by the system of marriage and raising a family. "Most give up on life once they reach 60. They become nannies to their grandchildren," she told the BBC. Her 65-year-old mother, she said, is "a typical Indian woman who suffers from all sorts of health issues that 60 plus women face". "But Rajini is different - she takes care of herself, she's fit, she's bold, she's beautiful, she's fashionable. She's 69, but in her mind, she's 29, just like me."

 

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A post shared by Athira (@athirasphotography)

Chandy returned to Kerala in 1995 from Mumbai, where her husband worked at a foreign bank. She recalls that she was once admonished for wearing a sleeveless blouse. However, the criticism of her clothing choices didn't stop Chandy. She went on to pursue acting and made her debut with Malayalam-language comedy-drama, Oru Muthassi Gadha (A Granny's Mace), in 2016, at the age of 65. Chandy has also participated in the second season of Bigg Boss (Malayalam).

Also Read: Tick, Tock:How Stress Speeds Up Your Chromosomes’ Ageing Clock

While sharing her picture on Instagram, Joy wrote, "Ageing is just numbers and magic of maturity is wearing what makes you comfortable, proud and happy. @rajinichandyofficial and her celebration of women hood is an inspiration to all the mother's, grandmother's to pursue fashion and passion in daily life!"

 

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A post shared by Athira (@athirasphotography)

Two pictures which especially irked trolls featured Chandy in a pair of distressed jeans, and another one in which she is seen in a short denim dress. "It's worse because it shows my legs," said Rajini Chandy. "But I have good legs, so it didn't really bother me." However, she also acknowledged that the constant trolling got to her.

 

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A post shared by Athira (@athirasphotography)

"I was called a slut. Someone asked me, 'Haven't you died yet?' Another suggested that I 'sit at home and read the Bible. This is your age to pray, not show off your body'. Yet another person said I was an old auto rickshaw and even if I got a new coat of paint, I'd still be old," Chandy told the BBC.

What also bothered her was the fact that most of the discouraging remarks came from women. "A lot of young men find sexiness in older women disturbing, they don't want to think of them as an object of desire. But what I found surprising was that most of the negative comments were made by women," Rajini Chandy concluded.

Also Read: Grandma Celebrates 93rd Birthday By Dancing To 'Aankh Maare', Video Goes Viral

With the news of Rajini Chandy being trolled for her photoshoot now doing rounds on Twitter, support has poured in for the sexagenarian actor:

women and ageing Rajini Chandy
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