Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 20, 2012)

 

Mumbai: Contrary to the world of films, television is a medium where disparity between men and women does not exist and women are treated on an even keel. An actor like Sakshi Tanwar commands the same remuneration as her counterpart Ram Kapoor in the hugely popular television show Bade Acche Lagte Hain. The Queen Bee of Indian television Ekta Kapoor said, “There is no gender bias and the two actors are paid the same amount.”

Though Vidya Balan is trying to bring about a change in the world of cinema by making films with women work at the box office, the film industry is still a male dominated space. Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif may be very popular, but they don’t really get credit for their contribution to a successful movie. Scriptwriter Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, who has been the creative head of a television channel in the late 90s, said, “During my time, the content used to be male dominated but when it came to remuneration, everybody was equal. Rajendra Gupta and Neena Gupta drew the same salary.”

Television is all about the popularity of the show and the character one plays in a particular show. There have been characters like Ammaji, Daya, Tulsi, Prerna, Anandi and Mihir who have become immortal on television. An industry insider said, “When Smriti Irani quit Kyunki Saas…, she drew Rs 60,000 an episode, which was probably the highest remuneration at that time.” Avika Gor, who played the young Anandi in More >