Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu Comment On Gender Pay Disparity In Bollywood; Says, “It’s A Very Balanced Economic System”

The debate around pay disparity in the film industry continues to spark conversations, and actors Saif Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu recently shared their perspectives on the subject. The two actors spoke about the economics behind actor remuneration while appearing on a podcast hosted by Saif’s sister, Soha Ali Khan, titled All About Her, where the discussion touched upon gender pay parity and how salaries in the industry are determined.

Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu Comment On Gender Pay Disparity In Bollywood

During the conversation, Saif explained that while actors of similar standing should ideally receive equal pay, the industry also works on a demand-driven system linked to box-office performance and star power.

He said, “If the actors are of equal stature, they should be paid the same amount. But I also feel the economics work in a certain way. If you are putting people in seats in the theatre, you get paid accordingly. Everyone understands that relationship.”

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The actor further said that the pay structure reflects the box-office pull of an artist. Adding, “It’s not like just because you are a certain gender you deserve to be paid more or less. It’s actually a very balanced economic system where people are clear that this person is a superstar because they are filling theatres. They know their worth, charge that price and get paid.”

Kunal Kemmu On Pay Disparity In Bollywood

Actor-director Kunal Kemmu, who has spent decades in the industry as a child actor and later as a leading man, also weighed in on how actor fees are calculated, explaining that there has traditionally been a financial formula behind remuneration.

Kunal said, “There is a maths to it. This is the mathematical part, not whether a film will work or not- that’s a different thing. Earlier, distributors knew that if I have this actor, I can sell a territory for a certain amount of money and that becomes part of the recovery.”

The discussion highlighted how star power, audience draw, and distribution economics have historically influenced pay scales in Bollywood. While conversations around equal pay continue across the industry, Saif and Kunal’s comments suggest that the business side of filmmaking, including an actor’s ability to bring audiences to theatres, remains a key factor in determining remuneration.

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Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Supriya Pathak Breaks Silence On Pay Disparity In Bollywood; States, “Women Empowerment Means Equality Aur…”

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.