5 Reasons Why Equal Pay In Bollywood Is Not Practical At All

We’re talking serious business here!

Two of the highest paid actors in Bollywood.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

“Equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism. Look at your quotas. Ask what women are being paid, and say: ‘If she’s not paid the same as the men, I’m not doing it.’”

Benedict Cumberbatch

Not like you need one more reason to love Benedict Cumberbatch, but here it is. The actor declared that he won’t take on a role unless his female co-stars are paid the same. Now, that got me thinking if any of the Khans and other Bollywood biggies will ever take the same stand and the answer is NO! Not because they don’t care but also because it makes no damn sense. Here’s why.

1. Bollywood will have to stop making movies...!

One Khan for the price of two makes no sense, right?

... Or the forever young Khans will have to stop acting in them. 

2. Heroines will have a 'role' to play

Now if the female actors are paid as much as the male actors, directors will actually have to think hard on how to ‘use’ them in the film. This ain’t an easy task, it takes time to learn something new.

Sorry, Anushka. You’ll have to continue to “be just interesting enough for a guy to be interested in you”. 

3. Rajshri will also promote gay films

If you’re spending that kinda money, might as well get two Khans to romance, no? Ok, stop visualising!

A film on gay vivaah arranged by the parents is the need of the hour! Bollywood, I just gave you an idea there.

4. There will be a 100Cr 'Flop' Club

SRK’s fee + Salman’s fee + shoot in Switzerland for no real reason = Do that math!

.... Or cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rajkummar Rao in every film. Actually that’s not a bad idea at all. Bollywood, are you listening? 

5. Heroines will have (an even) shorter shelf life

Only L'Oreal thinks they are worth it!

DYK: These two are younger than the three Khans? 

PS: The male actors in Bollywood don't really care about how much their female co-stars get paid... But, they do dance the night away at their weddings for free, isn't that enough?