Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; May 9: Bollywood actress and producer Kriti Sanon has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of gender inequality in the Hindi film industry, speaking about how producers negotiate differently when it comes to actresses’ fees compared to male actors.

Recent interview, Sanon pointed out that discussions around remuneration in Bollywood often reflect deep-rooted structural imbalance, where producers are reportedly more likely to negotiate or reduce fees for female actors while male actors’ earnings remain largely unaffected. She described this pattern as part of a broader patriarchal system still present in the industry.

Sanon, who has recently stepped into film production herself, said that she has observed how financial discussions in filmmaking are often influenced by gender bias. She suggested that despite women delivering strong performances and contributing equally to a film’s success, their compensation is frequently treated differently during budget planning.

The actress also reflected on how producers tend to evaluate female-led projects more cautiously, with concerns about box office returns often leading to stricter financial controls on actresses’ salaries. She noted that this approach reinforces long-standing inequalities in the industry’s economic structure.

Her remarks add to an ongoing conversation within Bollywood about pay disparity and working conditions, a debate that has been raised by several actors in recent years. Industry discussions have increasingly focused on the gap between male and female remuneration, with calls for a more balanced and transparent system.

Sanon’s comments come at a time when she is actively involved in both acting and production work, positioning herself on both sides of the industry’s financial decision-making process. Her statements have once again brought attention to the challenges faced by actresses in achieving equal pay and recognition in mainstream cinema.