EXCLUSIVE: Tillotama Shome Opens Up About Having To Negotiate Fees Owing To Pay Disparity In Bollywood; Says “You Have To Demand It”

Tillotama Shome is a critically acclaimed Indian actress known for her powerful performances in independent and parallel cinema. With a career spanning over two decades, she has earned a reputation for portraying complex, emotionally layered characters with depth and authenticity. Known for choosing socially relevant and thought-provoking projects, Tillotama has won several awards, including a Filmfare Critics Award, and continues to be a prominent voice in meaningful storytelling in Indian cinema.

Tillotama Shome Opens Up About Pay Disparity In Bollywood

When asked about pay disparity between male and female actors in Bollywood and people relating to her asking for a fair fee, Tilotma said, “I think people relate to it because everyone has undergone the experience of being devalued. Whether it will change or how far, I’m not sure because the pay disparity between men and women is really unfair…to say the least.”

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She continued, “I think even the people who heard that interview and sent me screenshots of how they related to it and how moved they were by it, also will be the same people who will push back on paying – because it is a mindset. But it’s okay, I’m okay with walking away from projects where I don’t feel valued financially.“

She furher added, “This whole story of ‘art’ and for ‘art’s sake’ is just people born with privilege, patronage and family wealth can say such things; but if you come from a working class family and you have chosen the arts as a way of life, then there’s great value to what you earn and being able to incrementally increase that value based on the work that you have done and how it has performed… Unfortunately the obligation is not on the maker… you’ll never hear the maker giving an actor a huge pay rise, you have to still demand it”

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