Rajini Chandy is a 69-year-old actress, known for acting in South Indian films and TV shows, but it's her recent photoshoot where she dressed in Western clothing that's been garnering her attention - both negative and positive.
Ms Chandy mentioned how her choice of clothing for the photoshoot upset some people because in a culture where women of a certain age dressed conservatively, her outfits were deemed "too sexy".
"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," she said.
But many on social media have come out in support of the actress, with women young and old being inspired by her stance.
"Rajini Chandy says she did the shoot to motivate older people" … Simply beautiful inside and out. I'm motivated.🧓" One Twitter user said.
Others were inspired by Ms Chandy's confidence in the shoot.
The actress herself is taking all the comments, both positive and negative in her stride. As she mentioned in her BBC interview:
"I've fulfilled all my family and social obligations and now I'm just doing what brings me pleasure. I'm learning to play the drum, I'm not aiming for perfection, I'm just having fun."
