Actor Kareena Kapoor, who has worked with some of the biggest banners, says that she has no complaints about the remuneration structure in the film industry as she is “paid really well”.
Other female actors, including Vidya Balan, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut, have come forward and openly expressed their displeasure over being paid lesser than their male counterparts. They have claimed that they don’t get paid even one third of what male actors in Bollywood do. Kareena feels that there is no disparity in the remuneration system.
“I get paid very well and I have no complaints. If it’s a big budget film, they can afford and what works for another actor might not work for somebody else,” the actor told reporters in a group interview.
“I feel each and every actor is different. For example, I can never do The Dirty Picture. I don’t have that courage and boldness but for me it’s a challenge to be a part of Golmaal 3 and still have a great role. It’s an honour for me to be a part of Singham and that works for me. It’s unfair to draw any comparisons,” she added.
However, the 33 year old was of a different opinion in the year 2012 when at an event in the capital she shared how Vidya’s National Award-winning performance in the 2011 released film The Dirty Picture has given female actors hope for a brighter tomorrow in the Indian film industry.
It was during that time Kareena said that she would fight for “equal pay cheques” for both male and female actors.
Meanwhile, Kareena is waiting for Rohit Shetty’s Singham Returns, also starring Ajay Devgn. The film is the second instalment of the 2011 Bollywood blockbuster Singham and is scheduled to release in August.
Highest paid female actors
Actor Acting fee per film
Kareena Kapoor Khan INR 80-90 million
Deepika Padukone INR 70-80 million
Katrina Kaif INR 60-65 million
Priyanka Chopra INR 70-80 million
Bipasha Basu INR 40-50 million
Vidya Balan INR 30-35 million
Highest paid male actors
Actor Acting fee per film
Amir Khan INR 400 million (including share in profit)
Salman Khan INR 230-300 million (including share in profit)
Shahrukh Khan INR 200-250 million (including share in profit)
Akshay Kumar INR 180-220 million
Ranbir Kapoor INR 150-200 million
Hrithik Roshan INR 150-200 million
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2014.
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