Gender discrimination has existed in our society for quite sometime now but there are rarely people who speak about it. Bollywood has also been a great victim of gender discrimination and for years no actress has ever voiced her opinion about it.
Recently, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut revealed many facts about the gender inequality that exists in the industry. Joining the girl brigade is Anushka Sharma, who spoke her mind out in a candid interview with Anupama Chopra on her show Film Companion.
In an interview with Anupama, Anushka revealed some shocking facts about gender discrimination that exists in film industry. She says, "Girls are just expected to be good looking and just be enough interesting so the guy can be interested, in films. In India, it is because that is how the society looks at woman. One huge example is that men can work irrespective of their age, which is fine, but why is it that women can work only till they are 'desirable'. Desirable means what? There is a sexual connotation attached to it. This is because we have shown women always like that in films except a few ones. Till that doesn't change, we will remain in the same situation. But it is changing now. It is also happening because actors are backing such roles."
She goes on to reveal further, "You know for a fact, when an actor works as a producer, he gets money and later he also gets his share. But when an actress does it, we have to save for the budget of the movie. So you feel the discrimination. It is not just with money but in general. There is a discrimination in a thing like, if we are out on an outdoor schedule, it is obvious that the male actor will get the better room in the hotel as compared to the female actor."
Since Anushka, like many girls, has been brought up in a family where there was absolutely no inequality, it is shocking because the first tinge of discrimination is faced at your work place.
"For instance, there might be an actor who is of the same stature as me but he would get paid more money because he is a guy. It's not intentional. It is ingrained. And when I voice such things, they call me an activist. People don't like women with guts in this industry," laughs Anushka.
Interestingly, at MAMI, Kangana Ranaut revealed that she was called a bitch when she suggested certain changes during the making of the movie. When Anupama probed Anushka with it, the Dil Dhadakne Do actress admits, "If you are asking for something that you deserve, then you are a bitch. People say that 'She has attitude'. But they need to understand that we are not dumb and stupid. All actresses have their mind, and speak their opinion. So if an actress is suggesting something then how can she be 'difficult'?"
She adds further, "A male newcomer and a female newcomer will be paid differently, despite the fact that both are new and nobody knows them."
Interestingly, while we have always wondered why there is a new comer or a less established star in a women-centric film, no one actually had the answer. But Ms. Sharma has a reply to this. She says, "Which actor is doing a film without a known actress or a hot actress? When I say hot I mean desirable. If I am doing a film, where my role will be bit more than a guy, then I know for a fact that none of the established guys will do it even though it is a great role."
Well, we quite get the point Anushka! Bravo!
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