In a country where retirement is often viewed as a time for retreat, 61-year-old Professor Sumedha Dhani is rewriting the script. The former academic, poet and painter has emerged as a singer and actor, breaking age-related stereotypes and inspiring a generation to embrace new beginnings.
Known for her decades-long career in journalism and mass communication, Professor Dhani has now stepped into the world of performance with confidence and creativity.
Her second music video, Rang Chadhiya Pyar Da – Colours of Love, launched at Silvi Park, Mohali on Baisakhi (13 April), celebrates familial love and enduring relationships, themes often overlooked in mainstream entertainment.
Her debut song Tu Te Main, released during Lohri 2025, became a viral sensation, resonating particularly with India’s 40+ demographic.
The video, shot in Shimla and the historic Chail School, depicted the lives of a retired couple navigating love and companionship in their twilight years — a rare and moving portrayal that struck an emotional chord with many.
In Rang Chadhiya Pyar Da, Dhani portrays a woman celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary with her two daughters, aged 18 and 15. Set against vibrant Punjabi rhythms, the video shifts the focus from youthful romance to mature, deep-rooted love.
The song has already gained traction with middle-aged audiences across the country, who relate to its warm, realistic depiction of family life.
“This is more than performance,” Dhani said. “It’s about telling stories that matter — ones that reflect lives often left out of the spotlight. Art knows no age.”
A native of Bathinda, Punjab, Dhani’s academic journey has spanned institutions like Panjab University, Punjabi University Patiala, and PG Government College, Chandigarh.
She taught for over 30 years at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at MDU Rohtak. Her global work includes research on Sikh communities in Australia, published in The Australian People: An Encyclopedia (Cambridge University Press, 2001).
Dhani’s academic excellence earned her a number of accolades, including the ADCOS Fellowship in 1997 for PhD research at Deakin University and a Visiting Scholar Grant from ANU, Canberra. In 2011, she presented four research papers at the IAMCR World Conference in Istanbul — a world record at the time.
Her contributions go beyond academia. As a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, she was an early supporter of India’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement. She has received more than 31 awards, including the Indira Gandhi Women Empowerment Award (2021), International Human Rights Activist Award (2020), and Pride of Nation Talent Award (2017).
Sumedha Dhani’s latest artistic chapter began after retirement — a move that many of her peers would have found unconventional. But for her, it was a natural progression. “I want my work to inspire people who have sidelined their dreams because of age. Life doesn’t stop after 60. In fact, it begins anew,” she said.
Her transition has also been deeply personal. As the daughter of late Dr S. L. Dhani, an IAS officer who represented India in the UK in 1979, and sister to commercial pilot Yug Pravartak Dhani, she comes from a family rooted in service and excellence.
Yet, it is her own path — one that fuses intellect with artistry — that is gaining recognition. With plans to release a multilingual track in Punjabi, Hindi and English, Dhani hopes to connect with a wider audience and carry her message even further.
“Sumedha’s journey reflects the evolving narrative of India’s mature population,” said Amitabh Kumar, author of Kumbh Diaries. “She represents a new archetype — one that embraces tradition and change in equal measure.”
As her voice continues to reach new ears, and her presence fills screens with stories of real lives and relationships, Sumedha Dhani is proving that the second innings can be not only fulfilling — but extraordinary.
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