'Aaj bhi Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan raj karte hain': Rimi Sen blames biased Bollywood for QUITTING films

Rimi Sen was an iconic face of early-2000s blockbusters like 'Hungama', 'Dhoom', and 'Phir Hera Pheri'. The former actress has sparked a fresh conversation about the inner workings of Bollywood. In a candid appearance on a podcast recently, the actress-turned-entrepreneur explained why she made the strategic choice to quit films and move to Dubai for its competitive real estate market.

Today, Rimi Sen is a successful property consultant in Dubai. She praised the city’s disciplined system, noting that in Dubai, real estate agents are treated with the same respect as financial advisors. The podcast also saw Rimi Sen open up about her changed appearance, with fans across social media calling her "unrecognisable."

Rimi Sen addresses the gender dynamics in Bollywood

Speaking on the Buildcaps Real Estate LLC podcast, Rimi Sen did not mince words while discussing the stark contrast between the career trajectories of actors and actresses. She underlined how her former co-stars continue to lead massive franchises while the women of that era are often relegated to the sidelines.

Rimi Sen noted, “I feel like the career timeline in the film industry isn’t long, especially for women. The men tend to rule it, because it’s a male-dominated industry. Aaj bhi Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan raj karte hain wahan pe itne saalon se. It has been around 25–30 years.”

The former actress also pointed out a recurring pattern where actresses who once played leading ladies opposite these superstars are now cast as supporting characters or even their mothers, while the male actors continue to remain "ageless" on-screen.

Rimi Sen on quitting films

On the same podcast, Rimi Sen remarked that rather than waiting for the industry to "phase her out," she had a plan for financial independence from the very beginning. Her goal was to maximize earnings through films and events during her peak years to build a foundation for her future. Notably, after stepping back from acting, she produced the National Award-winning film 'Budhia Singh: Born to Run' in 2016.

Addressing the persistent plastic surgery rumors, Rimi clarified her stance on aesthetic treatments.

“I have only got fillers, Botox, and PRP treatment done, nothing else,” she clarified. She shared how maintaining a good look is about discipline and modern skin treatments rather than going "under the knife."

For Rimi, the move away from the camera was about security. "I am safer now. I don’t have the pressure of being in front of a camera or wasting time," she shared.

On the Bollywood front, Rimi Sen's last major film role was in the 2011 action-drama 'Shagird.'Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”