Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu, in a recent interview with Indian Express, shed light on the pay disparity she faces while working on major projects like Dunki compared to films where she is the lead star.

Pannu revealed that, contrary to popular belief, she is often paid more for films in which she plays the central role than for major productions where she shares the screen with leading male actors.

“It’s funny, people think I do films like Judwaa or Dunki for money, that I get paid well,” she said. “But no, it’s the opposite: I get paid more for making films that I headline, like Haseen Dillruba. Other films don’t really pay me much because they feel like they’re doing me a favor by putting me in this kind of film,” Pannu explained, adding that this mindset suggests that since a “big hero” is already part of the project, there is no need for a highly paid female role.

Pannu further addressed the control male actors have over casting decisions, pointing out that in most big-budget films, heroes influence the selection of their female co-stars.

“Now, even the audience knows that the heroes decide who will be the heroine in most of their films, until you have a very big successful director, who has his own audience. Then the director will take the call no matter what,” she noted.

She added that in about 75 percent of films, male actors have a say in casting choices.

According to the Pink actor, actors often prefer to work with actresses who are currently “in” or who attract a lot of public attention. “Some people are safe, others think, ‘Let me pick someone who won’t overshadow me,'” she noted, referring to competitiveness within the industry and gender dynamics. underlying Bollywood.

On the professional front, Taapsee was seen in Khel Khel Mein, alongside an ensemble cast of Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, Ammy Virk, Pragya Jaiswal, Vaani Kapoor and Aditya Seal. She will next be seen in Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan with Pratik Gandhi.