Male actors need to say that wage gap in Bollywood is wrong: Aditi Rao Hydari

The Wazir star says that the concept of male breadwinners is outdated and paychecks should reflect that

19 Sep, 2017

Aditi Rao Hydari's Bhoomi is close to release and the actor is using her time in the spotlight to talk about several important issues in the industry.

While speaking to Mumbai Mirror about her career challenges, she touches on the wage gap in Bollywood: "This shouldn't even be the subject that people should discuss in 2017. I think that male actors, producers and directors should come forward and say that what is happening is wrong and needs to be changed. Girls are talking but change only happens together. We need everyone to stand together and demand it."

She clarifies, "Of course, I cannot expect to be paid as compared to a very senior actor. That's different, that comes with seniority, experience, box office, etc. But at least, it should be like me and a male counterpart, who has done exactly same amount of work or may be less, gets paid more because he is a guy, I don't understand that.

"The concept that, 'guys are the bread earners of the family' has been changed long back, so why not the pay at par? I think it's about time to change it."

About her personal challenges in the industry, Aditi admits, "I am completely dependent on people calling for my talent. And honestly, there is no hero recommending my name, nor am I a muse for a producer or director, that they are making films for me." But she's hopeful that "as long as my intention is to make good cinema and play a good role, [filmmakers] will find me."

Aditi's next Bhoomi is an action thriller in which she stars opposite Sanjay Dutt. The film releases on September 22.

Comments

Ukz Sep 19, 2017 07:04pm

This difference will remain there till the times women say NO to the prefrencial treatment they get in different wake of life like long cues are for men only while women go straight in to the bank's door to submit electricity bills, like the reserve seats in National Assembly are for women only not for men, like there's no such day as men's day. Like its not obligatory on women to earn for the family. If they don't do nobody criticize while if man don't earn for their family they are criticized as hell. So this difference is here to stay. Women plz don't complain. We men deserve it.

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RAtionalbabu Sep 19, 2017 10:10pm

@Ukz : Sounds crazy, but you have a point!

TaimooR Sep 20, 2017 06:46am

Wage difference will remain, till she pulls off a movie on her own and gets it into 500 crore club, like other male stars. If she can't, no point asking raise in salary when one can't get box office cash ringing. Men and even kangana Ranaut get wage hike because they carry a movie on their own and back returns.

san(india) Sep 20, 2017 08:12am

@Ukz you nailed it.

Atticus from India Sep 20, 2017 08:16am

The actorder are paid depending on the audience they pull in. Most bollywood stories are make centric, the lead roles and main characters are males. The star cast always lists hero first. Why should anot actress get paid higher? We need females in more powerful roles only then the lead actresses can get equal or more pay.

Gamer Sep 20, 2017 09:51am

Is there any female actor who is as big a crowd puller as the Khans. In the past 30 years there have only been 1 or 2 real female Mega stars in Bollywood. I can only think of Madhuri Dixit. If there is a female star who is as big as SRK then sure she should be paid like him, but sadly there isn't.

asim Sep 20, 2017 10:20am

Why should the actors get more money than a common labourer? She should refuse to take anything above the min wage.