Kriti Sanon speaks out on pay disparity between male and female actors

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has openly addressed the ongoing issue of pay inequality between male and female actors in the Indian film industry, saying that actresses still face significant challenges when it comes to remuneration.

In a recent interview, Kriti Sanon revealed that producers often attempt to reduce an actress’s fee first when a film’s budget is tight, while a larger share of the budget is typically allocated to male lead actors.

She said that a sense of male dominance still exists in the industry, adding that women have to continuously struggle for equality both in pay and professional treatment.

The actress further noted that discrimination can also be experienced on film sets, where unequal treatment sometimes becomes visible in day-to-day working conditions.

Kriti Sanon recalled an early career incident where she felt disrespected after learning that a male co-actor was provided better facilities, including a superior vehicle, compared to her.

She described her 2017 film Mimi as a turning point in her career, saying it significantly changed public perception of her acting abilities. The film also earned her a major national award, which she called one of the most important moments of her professional journey.

The actress added that before Mimi, she often faced disappointment as several key roles were reportedly given to star kids at the last moment.