Madhuri Dixit on pay gap: Women must prove constantly

Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit believes that pay parity in Hindi cinema remains a distant goal, as women constantly have to prove their ability to attract audiences. Speaking at the 2025 IIFA Weekend session, The Journey of Women in Cinema, Dixit emphasized that female actors must repeatedly justify their worth.

It’s a continuous struggle to prove that women can draw audiences. Pay disparity still exists, and progress is slow, said Dixit, who recently appeared in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.

Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, also part of the discussion, highlighted the industry's gender bias. Women must prove themselves ten times over for the same recognition. It’s exhausting, yet male actors are rarely questioned about this issue, she noted. Citing Stree 2 as a successful female-led film, Monga stressed the need to create more opportunities for women in cinema.

Reflecting on her career, Dixit said she had the privilege of portraying strong female roles in films like Beta, Dil, Raja, and Mrityudand, the latter being a significant film about women’s empowerment. She recalled how early in her career, film sets had few women beyond actors and hairdressers. However, on her return from the U.S., she observed more women in directing, cinematography, and other technical roles.

Monga pointed out the ongoing challenges, revealing that women make up less than 3% of directors and 9% of crew members in cinema. We are raised in patriarchy and learning feminism every day, she said.