When Veteran Actors Opened Up On Pay Disparity In Bollywood

The issue of pay disparity has been a long-standing concern in the entertainment industry, and Bollywood is no exception. Despite being a century-old institution, the Indian film industry continues to grapple with this persistent problem. However, as the saying goes, "No one is going to make change for you until you raise your voice for change," and that's precisely what veteran actors have done, shedding light on the gender pay gap they encountered during their heydays.

Raveena Tandon's Candid Revelation

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A post shared by Raveena Tandon (@officialraveenatandon)

Actress Raveena Tandon, who continues to captivate audiences on OTT platforms, recently opened up about the gender pay gap she experienced in the 1990s. In an interview with Jist News, Tandon revealed, "I had to act in 15-20 films to make what my male co-stars earned in a single movie." She attributed this disparity partly to the fact that actresses back then had to take on more projects to establish themselves, while actors like Salman or Aamir Khan had the privilege and liberty to be more selective in their work.

Sharmila Tagore's Call for Change

Sharmila Tagore, who made a remarkable comeback with the OTT feature 'Gulmohar,' lamented the persisting pay gap in an interview with Hindustan Times. "Male actors still frequently land better roles than their female counterparts, and this disparity must be looked into," she said. Tagore acknowledged the progress made in portraying women in movies, stating, "They were increasingly grabbing meaty roles." However, she added, "Parity does not exist. Women actors continue to make less money than men do. So, something has to be changed. The difference was much greater during my time."

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Zeenat Aman's Candid Confession

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In a recent Instagram video, Zeenat Aman candidly shared her experience, stating, "In my time, the majority of women mostly served in ornamental roles 90 per cent of the time. They would sing, dance, and sort of prance around the leading man." While acknowledging the positive changes, she pointed out in the caption, "Although I was once hailed as the 'highest paid female actor,' the pay gap between me and my male co-stars was so absurd it was laughable."

Jaya Bachchan's Insight on Insecurity

Veteran actress Jaya Bachchan, in a podcast, addressed the unfair treatment of women in the workplace, including the gender pay gap. She attributed this disparity to men's insecurity, stating, "It is caused by a man's insecurity who is seated at its leadership. Because of his insecurities, he believes it is simpler to disparage women in all circumstances. It is the result of that mindset. Women have never advocated for themselves for centuries." However, Bachchan acknowledged that changes are being made.

These accomplished actors, who have etched their names in the golden pages of Bollywood and continue to live lives of fame and respect, deserve praise and admiration for pushing for the changes the industry needs. As Firstpost aptly put it, "They do not need any more recognition, though continuing to advocate equal pay only serves to highlight the sisterhood."

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