‘Kareena Kapoor was the star in Chameli’ reveals co-actor Rahul Bose, admits getting paid fraction of her fees: ‘Men have also been starlets’

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As a lifestyle expert reflecting on the world of cinema, I can’t help but bring attention to an intriguing instance from nearly two decades ago – my unforgettable role in Chameli, directed by the esteemed Sudhir Mishra and graced the silver screen in 2003. In this captivating production, I had the privilege of sharing the screen with the talented Rahul Bose, a collaboration that has remained etched in my memory.

Recently, Mr. Bose spoke candidly about our collaboration, acknowledging the significant impact my performance had on the film. He even disclosed a fascinating detail – my earnings far surpassed his own paycheck. As I look back on this revelation, it serves as a reminder of the pay disparities that persist within our industry.

In light of these differences, Mr. Bose made an astute observation: male actors have, in various instances throughout history, taken on roles traditionally associated with female leads – the ‘starlet’ roles, if you will. This insight underscores the need for a more equitable and balanced approach to compensation within our industry.

At the Mardon Wali Baat conference, according to PTI, Rahul Bose humorously referred to himself as a ‘starlet’, accepting the nature of the film industry’s hierarchy. He stated, “Just like men can be starlets too, and I am a shining proof of that. In the movie Chameli, I was the starlet, while Kareena was the star. Even today, she still draws more audience to the theater than I would. It’s as straightforward as that.

He also mentioned, “Kareena was paid much more than I was. That makes perfect sense because she is the one with the higher influence on the audience. You should always consider that ratio when deciding who to hire. This kind of thing often occurs.

Speaking about his professional journey, Chameli’s actor expressed that throughout his career, he wasn’t the type of actor who usually drew large crowds to cinemas. Similarly, Rahul Bose stated that in his opinion, the film industry is just when it comes to remuneration, as earnings are closely linked to an actor’s ability to attract audiences at the box office. Interestingly, he confessed that if he were in a producer’s shoes, he wouldn’t have given himself any more than what he was paid for the two films he produced himself.

Ignoring discussions about wage inequality among genders, he asserted that the system is simple: If an actor generates income, they receive higher earnings; otherwise, their salary mirrors their earning potential.

Currently, professionally speaking, Kareena Kapoor was recently featured in Singham Again alongside Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor. Although she hasn’t publicly revealed her upcoming project yet, TopMob has exclusively disclosed that she has agreed to star in a grand film, known for being one of the most significant ventures in Indian cinema.

Additionally, we mentioned that the movie is scheduled to hit theaters in 2026 and features Kareena in an unprecedented role for her career. Moreover, a highly respected and successful director is overseeing the project, generating even more excitement about its release.

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2025-03-20 10:07