Bollywood actresses unhappy over pay
India: With an increasing number of films that portray women as powerful characters and a fair representation in mainstream Bollywood fare, a demand by actresses for equal pay has only been fair.
While Hollywood stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Patricia Arquette, Emma Stone and Meryl Streep have spoken out on the disparity in the West, many Indian film personalities have lent a word to the problem as well. Here’s taking a look at Bollywood celebrities who have spoken about wage disparity, reports Times of India.
Priyanka Chopra: In an interview in January 2017, Priyanka expressed her displeasure over the disparity. She said that she doesn’t like the fact that she gets paid less than the men, even though she has worked as hard as them. She also said that she doesn’t like the fact that the disparity is so massive. The ‘Mary Kom’ actress also provided some insight into when she thinks the disparity could be done away with as she said when the audience is ready to watch a female led film, with a woman on the poster, and make it into a $40 million film, women will start getting equal pay as men.
Kangana Ranaut: She became the highest paid actress in Bollywood with a reported deal of Rs 11 crore in 2015. When asked if she also rues the fact that women are paid less than men in films, she said that she felt that there was a point when her complaint against the disparity wasn’t rational and yet, she felt that it was unfair even earlier. She added the reason for this was that the data wasn’t supporting her, which changed when ‘Queen’ made about Rs 100 crore at the box office. Even then, the actress said that she wasn’t sure how much money she could ask for after that. The ‘Simran’ actress quipped that her getting Rs 11 crore was a small step towards equality in pay, and as a woman, she would also want a fairness in wages and to be treated as an equal.
Anushka Sharma: In an interview with Economic Times, Anushka addressed issues she feels strongly about. She called out the ever-prevalent gender pay gap and the rampant sexism in Bollywood as she said, ‘If there is an actor of the same stature as me, he would still be paid more than me because he is a guy. Men can work as long as they want to, but women are only okay till they are young and desirable. If you’re on an outdoor shoot, you know that the guy is going to get a better room than you. Why?’
Radhika Apte: ‘Phobia’ actress Radhika observed that Bollywood as an industry has been changing since a decade if we compare today’s films with those from the ‘80s and ‘90s. However, the actress feels that directors of big-budget films are still not ready to cast Indie actors. She said, ‘It’s not their fault. If you have to make a 100-crore film, you have to make a profit of Rs 300 crore. Our society also has to be more accepting. It’s a vicious cycle. The change is slow, but I’m sure it will happen over time.’ The disparity in pay between male and female actors in Hindi as well as international film industries has been a topic of discussion for a while. Radhika however, said that things are improving.
Vidya Balan: According to a report by IANS, Vidya Balan said that she will strive to end the male-female disparity in Bollywood, especially as far as money is concerned. ‘We were always part of a male-dominated society. But now with films and TV, there seems to be a prominent shift now and perhaps it is going to be a female-dominated society,’ she said. Noting several female-oriented films that have done extremely well at the box-office over the years which has proven that actresses are not mere eye-candy, Vidya said, ‘There is a huge pay disparity between males and females in Bollywood. But I’m sure with time, this gap would reduce. We will definitely fight to bridge this gap.’
Sonakshi Sinha, who made her debut with Salman Khan starrer ‘Dabangg’ in 2010, has managed to steer away from male-dominated films with ‘Akira’ and ‘Noor’. The one thing that Sonakshi wants to see a change in Bollywood is the gender pay gaps. ‘The only thing I can think of changing in Bollywood right now is the pay disparity because we’re working in this day and age where films revolving around women are being made,’ she said earlier this year. The 29-year-old actress said that if an actress can carry an entire film on her own, she should be given the remuneration she rightfully deserves. ‘If a filmmaker shows that kind of trust in a woman, and if she brings the returns [on investment], you can and should give her the pay that you give to the men,’ stated Sonakshi emphatically.
Sonam Kapoor: Not the one to hold back her opinions, Sonam Kapoor raised the issue of pay gaps on Karan Johar’s chat show. She said, ‘It’s not fair. Why is it that Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) and I don’t get enough money than John and Varun. Don’t you think it’s time? Bebo has given ‘Ki & Ka’, and I have done ‘Neerja’. Bebo has proved herself over and over again as someone who has had a brilliant run in films. I think it is about time, as women, as actors, as artists that we get our due.’
Aditi Rao Hydari: In an interview to PTI, ‘Bhoomi’ actress Aditi Rao Hydari expressed that she doesn’t really understand why actresses are paid less than men. She said, ‘I don’t really understand why we are paid less than the male actors because we put equal efforts and recent past has shown that actresses can deliver a hit film. We deserve better pay, equal to what actors get.