Anupam Kher challenges ageism and the label of irrelevance

Actor Anupam Kher has initiated a public discussion regarding ageism through a social media video. Kher challenged the societal tendency to label older individuals as ‘irrelevant’ or ‘redundant,’ arguing that aging should not be equated with a loss of utility.

In his message, Kher emphasized that while youth provides energy and momentum, age provides experience that cannot be replicated or downloaded. He described the elderly as society’s ‘memory bank,’ serving as a living repository of history and knowledge. While acknowledging the importance of the speed and fresh ideas brought by younger generations, he questioned whether the relevance of youth should come at the expense of dismissing the elderly.

To support his stance, Kher cited several prominent figures over the age of seventy, including Narayana Murthy, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Nandan Nilekani, Anand Mahindra, Meryl Streep, and James Cameron, noting their continued ability to innovate and lead.