Are Bollywood Actors Scared of Flaunting Grey Hair?

Grey hair is considered to be sexy. The fact that women feel an irresistible attraction to men with grey hair is no secret. In fact it is a well known, 

globally endorsed truth. If you don’t believe us, think about George Clooney or Ben Affleck. Both stars are known not only for their films and humanitarian efforts, but also for their grey hair. Their pepper hair makes women go weak in the knees. Even in real life, there are one too many well-dressed, well-groomed men with gray hair who have young women falling for them. The thing about grey hair is that it makes men look matured, reliable, and someone women can depend on. On some level, even the most powerful and financially independent women seek the above mentioned qualities.
So if a man can up his attraction meter by sporting grey hair, then why do most Bollywood actors resist grey hair? Why don’t we see many more actors (with the exception of Amitabh Bachchan) flaunting grey hair?

1. Grey is old

While the western world associates grey hair with sexiness and good looks, Indians associate the same with old age. Women would rather fantasise about men who are young and in their prime. This could be one of the major reasons why Bollywood stars who are in their 40s and 50s stay clear of grey hair.

2. Affects market price

We don’t want to commoditise actors, but then the truth is their market price/endorsement price depends on their image and likeability. One reason for them not flaunting grey hair could possibly be that it lowers their market price. In the grey hair category, only Amitabh Bachchan rules the roost. The fact that no one other actor apart from Big B has ever been able to command a high price can sure work as a deterrent.

3. Romancing young actresses

The norm in Bollywood is that an actor in his late 40s will romance a young actress who is in her early 20s. The concept of an old man romancing a young woman is not something that Indian audiences accept. Remember what happened to Amitabh Bachchan and Jiah Khan starrer 'Nishabhd'? Well, that’s reason enough to dye one’s grey hair black.

4. Competition

While most actresses retire after a decade or so in Bollywood, actors go on acting for a couple of decades. Given the long time frame, they are bound to face competition from young actors who are well built, fit and who certainly don’t have grey hair. This dynamic of Bollywood could be one the reasons behind actors being scared to flaunt grey hair.

5. The way things work here

Bollywood does not have many story driven movies. Therefore, actors are not required to play ‘characters’ that go beyond the usual cool college kid, obedient son or a dashing police office. These limitations could also be a reason for actors always wanting to look young and fit. A man with grey hair will never look good as a college kid, no?

We think that the way things function in Bollywood and what the accepted norms of beauty in this country are dictates the hair colour choice of all actors. They have umpteen reasons to avoid going grey and stick to jet black hair which resembles youth and beauty.