Delhi Crime’s Shefali Shah says she is not in the position to ‘ask more money’; demands merit-based pay in industry: ‘Very rarely have I…’

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Actress Shefali Shah has openly discussed the persistent issue of unequal pay in Bollywood, underscoring the necessity for fairness in the industry. In a recent conversation, she expressed her thoughts on the difference in salaries between male and female performers, drawing attention to the significance of equitable remuneration. The actress proposed a system that rewards talent and mentioned that she has seldom encountered a producer willing to offer higher pay. She implied that while she may not have the power to demand, other actors likely do.

In a chat with Humans of Bombay, Shefali Shah, who starred in Delhi Crime, discussed the topic and shared her thoughts. She noted that the movie business has changed, as films centered on women are now enjoying great success. However, she also highlighted that despite this advancement, there remains a persistent disparity in pay between male and female performers.

Recently, Shah spoke up about the problem of wage inequality within Bollywood, highlighting the current system as unjust. She noted that in contrast to earlier times when movies were mostly marketed around the leading actor (referred to as the ‘hero’), today’s situation is markedly different.

She wondered if female actors are paid equally with their male peers, given the increasing number of successful movies led by women. Yet, she acknowledged some doubts about the full extent of this pay parity.

As a devoted admirer, I wholeheartedly echo the sentiments expressed by the Jalsa actress. I firmly believe that the remuneration for talent should be based on merit rather than gender. It seems illogical to me that an actor’s worth is not always accurately reflected in their compensation, especially when they are given leading roles. This inconsistency raises questions about who exactly determines an actor’s value, and I believe it’s crucial we address this contradiction head-on.

In addition to her role as The Darlings actress, she also revealed a personal insight about the industry, mentioning that it’s uncommon for producers to proactively increase pay for talented actors without being asked. She acknowledged that while she might not have the leverage to ask for higher wages, other actors might, and she expressed her wish that they would be fairly compensated for their work.

Known for her powerful portrayals in movies and online shows, Shefali Shah enthralls viewers with her exceptional acting skills displayed in productions like Jalsa, Human, Darlings, and Doctor G. Soon, she will reappear on screen as part of Delhi Crime Season 3 on Netflix.

2025 marks the anticipated release year for Season 3 on Netflix, though an exact date remains undisclosed. Recent announcements confirm that talented actress Huma Qureshi has joined the cast for the upcoming season.

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2025-03-06 14:07