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In Bollywood, you’re only paid more than a man if you’re Priyanka Chopra, says Kalki

Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin says it like it is at the Jairangam - Jaipur Theatre Festival

30 Apr, 2016

Kalki Koechlin is in Jaipur, attending the Jairangam - Jaipur Theatre Festival, where her directorial debut The Living Room was presented.

And she also presented a monologue about patriarchal Indian society, in which she maintained that "Bollywood is as patriarchal as our society."

Also read: 4 ways to navigate sexism in Bollywood, according to Anushka Sharma

She listed a few personal experiences:

" I once met a producer who asked me about my age and I said, 30. To this, he replied, 'Don't worry, you still have five years left.' Another producer showed me the exact spot on my face where I needed to get a botox."

She added, "There's a lot of pressure on women in Bollywood. Objectification of women is very predominant, but I am happy that gradually things are changing. Piku and Queen, both women-oriented films, brought a fresh change in Bollywood."

But the pay gap still exists, she says: "You only get paid more than a man if you are Priyanka Chopra."

That's signature Kalki for you, saying it like it is.

Comments

nikus Apr 30, 2016 11:48am

in showbiz, external look and presentation skill is vital for success along with many other things. pc acquired both these qualities through strict lifestyle.....she is virat kohli of indian cinema.........

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Vishal Apr 30, 2016 12:11pm

Can we please stop with this. Many actresses are paid more than moderate level actresses. Problem is that comparisons are always drawn to how much Salman, Hrithik, SRK or Aamir make. As far as Ms.Kalki is concerned, I'm sure she makes lesser than most actresses, so long way to go before she compares herself to actors (or actresses) who can assure a hundred crore return in the opening week. It's a business, not a government job where you can protest equal-pay-for-equal-rank.

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Parvez Apr 30, 2016 01:04pm

So Priyanka Chopra has bust the perception that women get paid less because they are women.

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Pune-India Apr 30, 2016 01:07pm

So what you expect Kalki despite of your flop movies Bollywood would have paid you SRK equivalent payment??

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Annie Apr 30, 2016 03:36pm

Bollywood exploits women more than anyone. They better pay them the most!

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SAEED MASOOD Apr 30, 2016 04:01pm

No one in this world can exploit the women until and unless the women let them do it...

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Harmony-1© Apr 30, 2016 05:55pm

@SAEED MASOOD - That doesn't make sense. If the man offers less money to a woman for a role and says 'take it or leave it' then what choice is left?

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Pakistani Apr 30, 2016 06:12pm

This is not bollywood phenomenon this is society phenomenon no one goes to cinema for heroine, the biggest factor theses days is the male lead actor if it is srk amir or salmon no matter how the movie is it will earn more than the previous set records.....so paying them more is justified

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Md. Rustum Apr 30, 2016 06:27pm

Women are Paid less because they are not primary earners

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Bipul Apr 30, 2016 06:39pm

I don't agree. If women can draw more money from audience then they will be paid more as well. In an industry that is talent based, salary can't be compared. Surely Kalki gets paid more than many male actors. Go figure out whether Kareena gets paid more or Amir Khan.

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Bhai Apr 30, 2016 07:05pm

@nikus lifestyle and plastic surgery

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Nehru Apr 30, 2016 07:11pm

Most important though is not to question the ethics of your paymasters and nor their intellect . Once Miss Chopra is back in town you will find her attemting to do the above thanks to her "education" elsewhere , a thing which Kalki was born with.

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nikus Apr 30, 2016 08:54pm

@Bhai she is daughter of army man, and maintains strict lifestyle like virat kohli.......

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syed Apr 30, 2016 09:24pm

who is she?

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Roussou Apr 30, 2016 11:11pm

Pryanka looks old now by the standard of Bollywood.

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Desi May 01, 2016 12:41am

@Parvez lol, no pun intended I'm sure.

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Sachin May 01, 2016 02:36am

Its not about male-female. Its all about crowd pulling and ticket selling power. Priyanka Chopra - thru talent wise choices and luck has achieved that. There are plenty of excellent male actors who make much less compared to the leading heroines. A movie with Salman and any new heroine will sell. A movie with Katrina and any new hero will not sell. Simple economics dear.

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Sachin May 01, 2016 02:39am

Simple. Dont accept any movie if u think u r not getting paid enough. No one is forcing anyone. All heros n heroines already make lacs and crores. They should stop comparing and being jealous of other heroes and heroines.

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sri May 01, 2016 06:16am

IN any grand slam tennis event , women's prize money is lesser than men's

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sk May 01, 2016 10:17am

Its wrong! You are paid based your capacity to pull the crowd & ensure profitability.

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sudhir May 01, 2016 02:53pm

Bollywood is a sick industry to work in. If they continue making the kind of movies they are making today, they will be irrelevant in the next 10 years.

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sudhir May 01, 2016 02:56pm

@Harmony-1© She can leave it. The more they leave it the more desperate these male chauvinist producers in Bollywood will become. Eventually they will come with a begging bowl and go on their knees and ask the women to name their price.

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@sudhir - I agree to your sentiment but unfortunately not likely to work.

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Akil Akhtar May 02, 2016 06:21am

You only get paid for how much money you can make for the producers...nothing to do with being male or female....How many female actresses can carry a film on their own like Slaman, Shah Rukh, Aamir or Akshay...?

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