'Pay has to be decided on numbers your films drive at box office' Kriti Sanon on pay disparity in Bollywood

Pay disparity in Bollywood has been a concern for years and now as times are changing for better, Kriti Sanon opened up on the burning issue.

The actress says the situation is getting neutral, with female actors also getting what they deserve monetarily. On male actors being paid more than their female counterparts in films, Kriti told IANS over an e-mail interview: "I've always believed that pay has to be decided on the amount of work that you put in a film and the numbers your films drive at the box office.

"The situation is slowly but steadily balancing out where female actors are also getting their monetary due. But we still have a long way to go."

When asked if she can see a change in the way women characters are perceived in the film industry?

"Most definitely," she replied, adding: "It's the best time for women in cinema and we have the audience to thank for that. They have been accepting of stories around female protagonists that are today drawing in figures on par with top male stars." But ultimately, it's the content that matters, she said.

"The content has today become the king and the deciding factor, which is great," Kriti said. 

"The box office numbers are encouraging and I'm grateful to the audience," said the actress.  She believes the audience is now much more accepting of different subjects that would earlier be considered "taboos". 

"Our idea wasn't to state that one should go for live-in relationships in general. But yes, we did want to stir the audiences a bit and leave them with the thought that everyone has the right to lead their lives according to their wishes and we shouldn't judge them for that," she said of Luka Chuppi that crossed Rs 90 crore at the box office.

Kriti who will be seen in a song and dance sequence in Kalank has an interesting line of films ahead from Arjun Patiala, Panipat to Housefull 4. 

"I'm in a good space right now in my life where I'm getting to do the kind of work I really want to. All these films belong to different genres and I'm glad I took those decisions in choosing different kinds of roles and films because I feel that's the only way you can grow." concluded the actress.