Lara Dutta, the former Miss Universe, who recently shot to headlines after her work in Bell Bottom has spoken up on dating in the 40s. The actress’ upcoming show Hiccups Hookups, directed by Kunal Kohli, is about a single mother Vasudha, who is seeking a partner on a dating app. in In an interview with Deccan Chronicle when she was asked about her opinions on dating for women in their 40’s, the actress’ responses are truly liberating and inspiring to take note of.
When asked, “What is Hiccups & Hookups about?”, she said, “It’s about a no-filter family, the first-of-its-kind show in India, which I believe will open new vistas for such unique content. Single mother Vasu, who’s 40 and separated from her husband of 19 years, shares an open relationship with her brother and 18-year-old daughter Kay. The relationship has been explored completely on screen in a fun, contemporary and interesting manner. Both mother and daughter get on the same dating app, each seeking a partner. I love how the daughter in the series pushes the mother to follow her passion, saying “Mama, your life is just beginning again.”
When asked, “But women can also fall prey to wrong men on such apps”, she said, “Yes. But after 40, you can navigate your life. You’re not a teenager. You know yourself though you may or may not know about others. You know your likes and dislikes and what you want. If you seek a frivolous relationship, be clear that what you want is something casual — and that you’re not looking for a life partner. Or understand that you seek more than a casual hookup or a one-night stand — someone who understands you and is compatible — something stable. I think it’s wonderful because you get to date with far more maturity than you did when you were in your teens and 20s. You may make mistakes, but that’s fine — you just get back up and try again. Sometimes, you’ll get it right and sometimes not.”
When asked, “So you think if men can turn naughty at 40 then so can women at 40?”, she said, “Society has never allowed us to discuss the idea of what the life of a 40-year-old single woman can be. It’s assumed that if you’ve come out of a marriage, you must get married again — you cannot look for casual relationships. Unfortunately, society has constantly dictated that women don’t have the right to even think about this. Even if you have the desire, you’re forced to bury it and prioritise your children before yourself. Sadly, this is the real scenario in the life of women who turn 40.”
