Amidst all the drama surrounding the release of Padmaavat and the myriad controversies that have made headlines, one very important commentary from the lead actress of the film has gone unnoticed. On the popular chat show, Vogue BFFs, Neha Dhupia asked Deepika Padukone if she was paid more than Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor for Padmaavat and the answer was a resounding, ‘Yes.’ The actress also added, “Talking about my remuneration for me is not exciting. I am confident and comfortable in what I get paid. But something that I am extremely proud is the fact that they have invested so much money on a film like this and a poster like this, featuring me on it. That makes me proud and that for me is hugely encouraging.
It’s the turning point for Indian Cinema, I haven’t seen this happen before. I think this is the beginning of great things and a lot of amazing and great things to happen to women in films.” We are totally with Deepika on this becoming a turning point. Considering how Hollywood is currently bringing the so far shunned pay-disparity debate out in the open, for Deepika to call it out and admit to getting paid more than her male counterparts is a BIG deal!
Mind you, pay disparity isn’t something new in Bollywood. Actresses have whined and complained about being paid less than their co-stars, within closed quarters. But the conversation is coming out in the open on account of two reasons – social media providing everyone with the access to debate this issue and women-centric films (Queen, Piku, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Neerja, Tumhari Sulu) making money at the ticket window and winning critical acclaim. In Hollywood things are, in fact, worse. The fact that Ellen Pompeo had to wait for Patrick Dempsey’s exit from Grey’s Anatomy to negotiate a higher salary is proof that despite being the central character, she had to wait her turn for a more rewarding paycheck.
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Ellen said, “For me, Patrick [Dempsey] leaving the show [in 2015] was a defining moment, deal-wise. They could always use him as leverage against me — “We don’t need you; we have Patrick” — which they did for years. I don’t know if they also did that to him, because he and I never discussed our deals. There were many times where I reached out about joining together to negotiate, but he was never interested in that. At one point, I asked for $5,000 more than him just on principle, because the show is Grey’s Anatomy and I’m Meredith Grey. They wouldn’t give it to me.” Now she draws an enviable salary from the studio with added benefits.
