Deepika Padukone Rejects Film Role Due to Bollywood's Gender Pay Gap

Deepika Padukone Recounts Film Offer Rejection: A Glimpse into Bollywood's Pay Disparity. Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone recently shared a story about a film offer she declined due to budget issues. In an interview, Padukone explained that the director couldn't afford her asking price because of the budget allocated to the male lead. "Creatively, I liked it," Padukone stated, "but then it came to talking about the money, and I said, 'Okay, this is what I would charge.' The director ultimately said they couldn't afford her due to the costs associated with the male lead's salary. This anecdote highlights the ongoing debate about pay equity in the Bollywood film industry and the challenges faced by female actors in negotiating fair compensation. The incident underscores the need for greater transparency and equitable practices within the industry.