Raveena Tandon Reveals Stark Pay Disparity in 1990s Bollywood

Veteran Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon has opened up about the significant pay disparity she faced as a female actor in the 1990s. In a recent interview, Tandon revealed that while her male co-stars like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan earned hefty paychecks for a single film, she had to work on 15-20 films to match their earnings.

Tandon, who was a leading actress in the 90s, said the pay for actresses was "very, very low" compared to their male counterparts. She noted that actors like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan had the luxury of being selective with their projects due to the higher remuneration they received, while female actors had to take on multiple films with different heroes to achieve financial parity.

"What the heroes would make in one film, I would have to make in 15-20 films," Tandon stated, highlighting the pronounced difference in pay scales between actors and actresses during that era. She acknowledged that the overall pay in the industry has improved significantly since the 90s, but the disparity was glaring back then.

Why this matters: Tandon's revelations shed light on the long-standing issue of gender pay gap in Bollywood. Her experiences highlight the challenges faced by female actors in the past and the need for greater gender equality in the industry.

Tandon also discussed the patriarchal mindset that still exists, where women are expected to bear the burden of household responsibilities along with their professional work. She urged young people to be more supportive of their working mothers, who often have to compromise on their dreams to care for their families.

Despite the challenges, Tandon expressed optimism about the evolving nature of Bollywood. She noted that with the influx of corporates into the industry, the pay structure has become more professional and equitable, allowing actors to focus on quality work rather than solely on financial considerations.

Tandon was recently seen in the film 'Patna Shukla', which delves into an education scam. The movie is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. She will next be seen in the upcoming projects 'Ghudchadi' and 'Welcome Back'.

Key Takeaways

• Raveena Tandon faced significant pay disparity as a 90s female actor, earning less than male stars.
• Tandon had to work on 15-20 films to match the earnings of her male co-stars like Salman Khan.
• Pay for actresses was "very, very low" compared to actors, who could be more selective.
• Tandon urges support for working mothers who compromise dreams to care for families.
• Bollywood pay structure has become more professional and equitable with corporate involvement.