Smriti Irani reacts to pay parity; says 'I wasn't paid more than the male lead when I joined Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi... I created that space...'
One of Indian television’s most iconic shows, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , is making a grand return with a brand-new season, and the excitement among fans is already sky-high. The revival will mark Smriti Irani ’s much-awaited comeback to acting and will reunite the beloved on-screen duo of Smriti and Amar Upadhyay , bringing back the unforgettable Tulsi-Mihir pairing . The actress-turned-politician recently joined Karan Johar for We The Women and opened up about pay parity in the TV industry.
Speaking about the change she and producer Ekta Kapoor had on the television industry, Smriti Irani recalled how she once unabashedly shared that she was paid more than the male lead of the show, Smriti said, "Today, in the so-called woke generation that you speak of, there is a huge conversation around pay parity. That is the time we broke the so-called glass ceiling where the female protagonist unabashedly said that I’m paid more than the male actor. We set that template even in terms of parity. If presumably this is to happen again (Kyunki's return), I’m sure given Ekta’s inclination of pushing the envelope she will do that again."
Smriti further shared that she wasn’t paid more than her male co-star when she first joined the show. In fact, she emphasized that it was a space she created over time, with the support of producer Ekta Kapoor, she said, "I was not paid more than the male protagonist when I had signed the contract. I created that space in collaboration with the creator of the show. I remember when we did that particular engagement contract; Ekta Kapoor was very focused on the history we were about to create. Everybody else was bothered about the pay cheque. She has always been focused on what the threshold is that she can cross or what new standard she can set."
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi which is returning with a season 2, has been delayed due to Vastu concerns but now the show will go on floors from July 3.
Speaking about the change she and producer Ekta Kapoor had on the television industry, Smriti Irani recalled how she once unabashedly shared that she was paid more than the male lead of the show, Smriti said, "Today, in the so-called woke generation that you speak of, there is a huge conversation around pay parity. That is the time we broke the so-called glass ceiling where the female protagonist unabashedly said that I’m paid more than the male actor. We set that template even in terms of parity. If presumably this is to happen again (Kyunki's return), I’m sure given Ekta’s inclination of pushing the envelope she will do that again."
Smriti further shared that she wasn’t paid more than her male co-star when she first joined the show. In fact, she emphasized that it was a space she created over time, with the support of producer Ekta Kapoor, she said, "I was not paid more than the male protagonist when I had signed the contract. I created that space in collaboration with the creator of the show. I remember when we did that particular engagement contract; Ekta Kapoor was very focused on the history we were about to create. Everybody else was bothered about the pay cheque. She has always been focused on what the threshold is that she can cross or what new standard she can set."
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi which is returning with a season 2, has been delayed due to Vastu concerns but now the show will go on floors from July 3.
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