This is a modern 21st century, where almost everyone goes about giving lessons on women empowerment and their rights. But, it is true fact that in the richest and most exquisite industry of the world, the problem of gender discrimination still exists, how much ever shocking it might sound.
Do they work less hard than male actors? Do they lack at some point? Haven’t they got enough skills? Of course not, but then why are they denied what they deserve when it comes to payroll? The roots of this issue can be traced long back; many actresses have tried their best to bring this problem to light, but sadly of no use! It is very disappointing to know the gloomy side of film industry which reveals how female actors are downplayed in terms of their payment.
It is a known fact that Bolllywood’s three Khans haul in an unimaginable amount for their every film; while they are given high remunerations, their female leads are being underpaid. Talking about the same, Kareena had once said, “There’s a difference of several zeroes in the pay cheque that I get vis-a-vis the Khans.” Similarly, Katrina had to say, “”It is true that there’s a huge disparity among what female stars get than male actors. In fact ever since I have made my debut in Bollywood the remuneration for lady stars hasn’t changed.”
On the contrary, producers are always after earning hard and don’t give this pay difference enough importance. Filmmakers argue, “The Khans deserve what they are charging because when you cast them, there’s an assurance that you are going to get your money back.”
Producer Vashu Bhagnani had safeguarded himself saying, “The reason is that not many heroine oriented movies are made in Bollywood. If more women-oriented films are made and appreciated by the audiences, then even the producers will be happy to pay more to female actors.”
Pay disparity is so huge that the three Khans are paid around 30-35 cr per film, whereas, their parallel co-stars including Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina are paid merely 5-6 cr, reports a famous trade magazine.
This may be the case, but actresses reveal that even after some hit women-oriented films like ‘Queen’ and ‘Bobby Jasoos’, the pay still remains low. Aditi Rao Hydari told PTI in an interview, “”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.”
The actress very well known for playing strong roles in female-centric films is herself upset with the wages gap that exists in industry. While promoting her film Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Kangana said that she is way too determined to change this old custom. “Few people are trying, like me. It is still a very, very male-dominated industry and yes hopefully, at some point, it will be equal and I am going to make sure that happens,” she told the media.
Howbeit, not all producers have got same opinions. Being a woman herself, filmmaker Pooja Bhatt understands the problem well and says, “It’s an old mindset, a feudal system. There is a general perception that women don’t sell films — a fact that is gradually changing world over. I, for one, ensure both my male and female actors get equal pay.”
This problem is not just limited to Indian film industry; even Hollywood actresses get heat of this pay disparity. Jennifer Lawrence who starred in the most popular Hunger Games series got paid much lower than her male colleagues for the film ‘American Hustle’. This truth was revealed by hacked e-mails of Sony Production house and proved that even powerful actresses don`t stand a chance to equal pays.
But we can`t deny that the picture is slowly changing as the films focusing on women power are showing their magic thanks to Kahani, Piku, Queen and Mardaani. Heroines are slowly coming out of their ‘glam doll’ and ‘item-girl’ images and becoming more realistic and relatable. Audiences, for sure, are getting attracted towards their talent and proving that male actors are not always mandatory to pull money. Hope that the filmmakers absorb and understand this truth soon and give actresses what they deserve for their hard work and skillfulness. Priyanka had said, “When women-centred films become hits, then the disparity will end.” We wish that her assumptions turn true and the pay gap gets bridged.
Tags: bollywood
