As the debate about the gender pay gap in film industries rages on, Sonam Kapoor is having her say through her actions.
In an interview with Film Companion, Sonam Kapoor admitted that despite having films like Neerja, Khoobsurat, Raanjhanaa to her credit, Veere Di Wedding is not getting the kind of budget she had initially wanted. The film has an all female star cast including Kareena Kapoor Khan and Swara Bhaskar.
She said, “Recently I was offered a project, which I was excited for, but the money being paid was sh-t. I made a call and said, this is very disrespectful. There was shock on the other side. I told them, you put me in a position after being 10 years in the industry, after giving the most profitable film Neerja a year ago, so please tell me why is it that this is what you decided to give me.”
The actress spoke at length about the wide pay gap between male and female actors in the film industry.
“The kind of money John Abraham and Varun Dhawan got to make off Dishoom is way more than what Kareena and I are getting to make Veere Di Wedding. I do think Kareena and I could open a film as big as them. And we could do as well as them. Veere Di Wedding is a commercial film. I find it really disgusting that this is happening.”
She also spoke about how Kareena Kapoor Khan and she had to make a pay cut because of their “okay” budget in Veere Di Wedding.
“We are making Veere and we are getting an okay budget, but we are not getting what we want. I have to cut my fee, and Bebo has to cut her fee to get this film there. The film is not as elaborate as we imagined. It is sad and heartbreaking. We need to work extra hard to make it look a certain way.”
We hope her comments do call some attention to this pertinent issue .We applaud you Sonam , for always saying what you feel.
