Bhumi Pednekar takes about the gender pay gap in Bollywood

Bollywood Hungama recently hosted a roundtable conversation with the leading actresses that have left their mark in 2022 in films. Tamannah Bhatia, Bhumi Pednekar, Rakul Preet Singh, Huma Qureshi, and Alaya F graced the table and spoke their mind about various things. Going with the flow the actresses talked about the gender pay gap in Bollywood.

Roundtable members

Talking about the issue, Bhumi said, “ I could have as many Rs. 100 or Rs. 200 crore films as my male co-star. I may be appreciated for my work but it’s a norm that I will not be paid as close to what he is being paid”. Adding more to her statement, the actress said, “The disparity was also in the west but the men there stood up for women. They said either they will take a pay cut or get them the same remuneration. And while I don’t want anyone to stand up for me, there has to be empathy. One needs to acknowledge the issue.”

Huma however, had a different opinion on the subject and she expressed her thoughts by saying, “But we should also understand that the males have created a market over years. We cannot pitch 10 female films with the 100s they have.”

Huma and Bhumi Pednekar at the roundtable

Bhumi who was set on her opinion further said, “If the budget is Rs. 125 crore, the males get a good two-digit figure but then they want me to be thankful. You have come to me because I add a certain amount of credibility but they always make it sound like an opportunity.”

Chipping into the conversation, Rakul Preet said the cause of the pay gap is because the actresses are replaceable in the movies.