Amidst the euphoria surrounding the success of Crew, a heist comedy featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon boldly addressed the persistent issue of gender pay disparity in the Bollywood film industry. In a candid interview with Film Companion, she raised poignant questions about the glaring gap in remuneration between male and female actors, particularly when box office performance fails to justify such discrepancies. ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra PRAISES Pay Parity In Hollywood! Says, 'I Would Get Paid About 10% Of The Salary Of My Male Co-Actor In Bollywood'
Expressing her frustration, Kriti highlighted instances where the vast differential in pay seemed unjustifiable, irrespective of the actors' recent track record. She underscored the arbitrary nature of these disparities, lamenting the lack of parity in compensation despite similar levels of contribution to a project's success.
Kriti further delved into the rationale often cited by producers to rationalize unequal pay, citing the emphasis on pre-release revenue streams such as digital and satellite rights. According to her, male-centric films tend to command higher returns in these domains, influencing budget allocations and perpetuating the gender pay gap. In her own words, the Mimi star says, “The difference in payment (between male actors and female actors) currently is huge for actually no reason. Sometimes, for no reason. Sometimes, you feel like it’s not like that person has given a hit in 10 years, so why is he getting paid 10 times." ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut Opens Up On Gender-Based Pay Disparity In Bollywood, Reveals She's Not ‘Underpaid, Credits Men For Helping Her’
The actress drew attention to her own experience working on Crew, where she claimed that despite featuring three prominent leading ladies, the film's budget was purportedly curtailed compared to male-led comedic projects. This, she argued, exemplified systemic biases in film financing that undermine the value of female-centric narratives. This issue resonated with past controversies, notably during the production of Veere Di Wedding, which reportedly necessitated pay cuts for its actresses to accommodate budget constraints. Despite the strides made in promoting gender equality in Bollywood, such instances underscore the persistent challenges faced by women in the industry.
Crew itself stands as a testament to the talent and appeal of its ensemble cast, navigating the tumultuous world of airlines with wit and charm. The film's commercial success further underscores the demand for diverse narratives and the formidable box office draw of female-led projects.
Looking ahead, Kriti Sanon's foray into the world of Netflix with Do Patti, alongside the esteemed Kajol, signals a promising shift. Not only does it showcase her versatility as an actor, but also marks her debut as a producer under her banner, Blue Butterfly Films, symbolizing a step towards empowering women in the industry and reshaping narratives on their terms.
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