'Long way to go'—Madhuri criticizes gender pay disparity in cinema
What's the story
At a special session, titled 'The Journey of Women in Cinema,' at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), actor Madhuri Dixit and Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga addressed the issue of gender pay disparity in Bollywood.
The session, organized as part of International Women's Day, was moderated by IIFA Vice President Noreen Khan.
Dixit said women continuously have to prove their worth, and show they can pull an audience.
Equal pay
Dixit and Monga advocate for equal pay in cinema
Dixit said, "I think for women they have to prove themselves time and again and to say that we're equal, we can draw an audience, we can do that, but we have to prove it every single time."
"Yes, there is still a disparity. We still have a long way to go. We have to work every day for that not to happen," she added.
Opportunities
Monga calls for creating more opportunities for women
Echoing Dixit's sentiments, Monga said, "There is a pay gap. I want men and actors to answer such questions. We are already on the receiving end."
"Create more opportunities for women. Look at Stree 2. If we have more films like these then we'll get close to that," she added.
The session also emphasized their incredible journeys, women's changing role in cinema, and the challenges they faced in shaping the industry.
IIFA 2025
IIFA Awards: A celebration of Bollywood's global connection
The International Indian Film Academy is celebrating 25 glorious years of connecting Bollywood with the world.
While the IIFA Awards have traditionally been held in international locations, this year, the celebrations are taking place in Jaipur.
The three-day gala at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) is filled with unforgettable events, performances, and tributes to some of Bollywood's greatest milestones.
Kartik Aaryan will join Karan Johar as the host for this year's function.