Bollywood actor Kajol says that female actors’ films cannot generate business the way a Salman Khan film does at the box office.
Pay disparity among the male and female actor in Bollywood have been a topic of concern and many female actors in the recent past have raised their voice against it.
Speaking on the matter in a recent media interaction for her upcoming film, Helicopter Eela in which she plays a single mom, Kajol said: “I think that issue has to do with box office collections to a big extent and there is gender issue for sure, but if you see, not a single actress film can do Rs 500 crore business the way a Salman Khan film does at the box office. Actresses over the years have been integral part in the success of a film, but after all, it’s a business.”
Kajol added that nowadays the audience has been more receptive to female-oriented films unlike the past.
“I am very grateful that today’s audience has changed and they are going to theatres to watch films like Kahaani (starring Vidya Balan) and Raazi (starring Alia Bhatt). People are making these films because it is now financially okay to make them and it’s all happening because of audience changing perspective.
“It’s a simple logic that if you go in a grocery shop, the owner of that shop will sell those products which have larger sale and you have to take that into consideration while making a film as well. Having said that, I am not saying that there is no gender discrimination in the industry. There is definitely gender discrimination and the pay structure has to change.”
When asked if the actor has become choosy when it comes to her film appearances post-marriage, she said, “I don’t miss it at all. I am happy working in one film in three years or one film in two years. I enjoy working, but I think work is just one part of your life. Other than that, you have your family which is really important.”
“My kids also need me a lot. We think that once your child will grow up he or she will not need you but after our marriage also, we need our parents for their support. So, I enjoy my life and I don’t think I should work just for the heck of it,” she remarked.