Kriti Sanon Speaks Out on Gender Pay Disparity in Bollywood

Kriti Sanon has recently shed light on the persistent gender pay gap in Bollywood, emphasizing how budget cuts disproportionately affect female actors. In a candid interview, she discussed the patriarchal norms that still prevail in the industry, sharing personal experiences that highlight the need for equality. Kriti's insights reflect a broader issue of representation and respect for female talent in film. She advocates for stronger female roles in storytelling, aiming to create impactful narratives through her production efforts. This discussion is timely, especially as other actors like Saif Ali Khan also weigh in on the topic of pay equity in the industry.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 16:02 IST

Kriti Sanon Addresses Pay Inequality in Bollywood

The debate surrounding the pay of male and female actors in Bollywood has been ongoing for quite some time. Recently, Kriti Sanon has openly discussed the patriarchal structures and pay disparities that exist within the industry.

Kriti pointed out that budget cuts in films often impact female actors' salaries first, while a significant portion of the budget is allocated to male stars.

In an interview with a popular magazine, Kriti stated, "When producers need to reduce budgets, they tend to cut the fees of female leads first, while a large share goes to male actors. Patriarchy is still deeply rooted in the industry, and it needs to change for equality to be achieved."

She also highlighted the subtle discrimination that occurs on film sets. Kriti mentioned that often, the readiness of female actors is prioritized to avoid keeping male actors waiting. According to her, while these instances may happen unintentionally, they need to be addressed.

Kriti shared an experience from her early career, revealing that a male co-star, who was not even senior to her, was given a better car. She emphasized, "It wasn't about the car, but about the respect for equality. At that time, it wasn't easy to voice concerns, but I always tried to stand up for myself."

She also mentioned that this mindset led her towards becoming a producer. Referring to her film 'Do Patti', she expressed her desire to create stories featuring strong and significant female characters. Kriti noted that even today, there are very few compelling scripts written for women, while female roles in male-driven films often remain limited.

Additionally, actor Saif Ali Khan recently shared his thoughts on pay inequality, stating that if two actors have equal star power, they should receive the same salary. However, he acknowledged that fees are often determined by the industry's earnings and the ability to draw audiences to theaters.