Saif Ali Khan Calls for Equal Pay in Bollywood: “Equal Stature, Equal Salary

The issue of unequal pay has long stirred debate in Bollywood, with stars and filmmakers often highlighting the earnings gap between male and female actors. Adding his perspective, Saif Ali Khan remarked that remuneration in the industry is primarily shaped by an actor’s box-office appeal and their ability to draw audiences into theatres.

Saif Ali Khan recently joined his sister Soha Ali Khan on a podcast episode featured on her YouTube channel, where actor Kunal Kemmu was also part of the discussion. The trio delved into the ongoing debate over pay disparity in Bollywood, emphasizing that compensation in the industry is often shaped by market economics and the audience’s demand.

Speaking on pay parity,Saif Ali Khan emphasized that actors of similar stardom should ideally receive equal compensation. At the same time, he acknowledged that Bollywood’s pay structure is shaped by the business realities of cinema. “If two actors are of equal stature, they should be paid the same. But the economics of the industry work in a certain way—if you’re the one drawing audiences to theatres, your pay reflects that. Everyone understands this equation,” he explained. Saif further clarified that the system isn’t biased by gender but rather mirrors an actor’s market value and box-office appeal. “It’s not about being male or female; it’s about star power.
The industry recognizes who fills theatres, and those actors know their worth, charge accordingly, and get paid.” Adding to the discussion, Kunal Kemmu broke down the ‘maths’ behind remuneration, noting that distributors often calculate a film’s recovery potential based on the star power attached to the project.
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• Mar 9, 2026
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