Ram Kapoor says wife Gautami faced same ageism as Akanksha Chamola
Synopsis
Ram Kapoor's candid admission on Lock Upp — that wife Gautami Kapoor suffered the same age-related sidelining that Akanksha Chamola described — puts a well-known face on an industry problem that rarely gets named out loud: once you cross 35, the work dries up.
Key Takeaways
Ram Kapoor revealed that his wife Gautami Kapoor experienced ageism in the entertainment industry, mirroring struggles shared by Akanksha Chamola on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa .
Akanksha Chamola said actors are labelled 'too old' once they cross 35 , making it harder to secure work.
Ram pledged to support Akanksha with his team as she prepares to live separately from husband Gaurav Khanna .
The show is hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh and streams on Netflix .
The season features 12 contestants including Shivangi Joshi , Harshad Chopra , and Dheeraj Dhoopar .
Television actor Ram Kapoor has opened up about ageism in the entertainment industry, revealing that his wife Gautami Kapoor endured struggles strikingly similar to those described by fellow contestant Akanksha Chamola on the Netflix reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa.
What Akanksha Said
The conversation unfolded when Akanksha approached Ram for support, sharing that she would soon be living separately from her husband Gaurav Khanna. 'I am going to be living separately. Alone for my life. I have to set my base completely. So, I will come to you for all my,' she said.
Akanksha then candidly addressed the industry's attitude toward age, stating: 'You know it. People do not view our age very kindly. Because unfortunately once you are 35, you get labeled as being too old. You are seen as too old.' She added: 'I don't even know the world. I have done what I could. I hope I get more work moving forward. Based on that, I can secure my life.'
Ram Kapoor's Revelation About Gautami
Ram responded by drawing a direct parallel to his own household. 'Gautami and I had suffered something similar too. In the beginning, she was also… I don't want to say too much but, what you are going through Gautami has gone through. She is my wife, she's my everything, my love. So, you are entering the same situation I have been in, I have seen it. I am telling you, I'll do whatever I can,' he said.
Ram also assured Akanksha that he would deploy his entire team to support her as she navigates this phase of her career and personal life.
The Broader Ageism Problem in Indian Television
The exchange shines a light on a widely acknowledged but rarely discussed reality in the Hindi television and film ecosystem — that actors, particularly women, face a sharp contraction in opportunities once they cross their mid-thirties. Notably, this is not the first time industry insiders have flagged the issue; similar concerns have been raised by actors across generations, yet systemic change has been slow.
Ram Kapoor himself is among the more prominent male actors on Indian television, which makes his acknowledgement of the problem — and his admission that even his wife was not spared — carry particular weight.
About Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa
The show is hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh and streams on Netflix. The current season features contestants including Akanksha Chaudhary, Yogesh Rawat, Sunita Ahuja, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, Sufi Motiwala, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Madhuri Jain Grover, Riyaz Aly, and Varun Yadav (also known as Laila), alongside Ram and Akanksha.
With the conversation now in the public eye, it remains to be seen whether it sparks a wider reckoning with how the industry treats actors as they age.
Point of View
Operating in the same industry, was not spared underlines how gendered the ageism problem is. The conversation on Lock Upp may be unscripted, but its resonance is structural: an industry that has long rewarded youth in women and experience in men is being called out by its own practitioners, on a mainstream platform. Whether this translates into casting-room change, or remains compelling reality-TV content, is the real question.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ram Kapoor say about ageism on Lock Upp?
Ram Kapoor said that his wife Gautami Kapoor had gone through struggles similar to those described by Akanksha Chamola, who spoke about being labelled 'too old' once an actor crosses 35. He pledged to support Akanksha with his team.
What did Akanksha Chamola say about age in the entertainment industry?
Akanksha Chamola said the industry does not view age kindly and that once an actor reaches 35, they are considered too old. She expressed hope of getting more work to secure her future.
What is Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa?
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is a Netflix reality show hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. The current season features prominent television personalities including Ram Kapoor, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, and Dheeraj Dhoopar, among others.
Who is Gautami Kapoor?
Gautami Kapoor is a well-known Indian television actress and the wife of Ram Kapoor. Ram revealed on Lock Upp that she too faced ageism in the industry, though he declined to elaborate further on the specifics.
Why is Akanksha Chamola living separately from Gaurav Khanna?
The source does not detail the reasons behind the separation. Akanksha mentioned on the show that she would be living separately from her husband Gaurav Khanna and would need to build her life independently.
