Saif Ali Khan on Pay Disparity in Bollywood: ‘It’s About Who Fills Theatres’

Actor Saif Ali Khan has shared his perspective on the ongoing debate around pay disparity in the film industry, stating that an actor’s remuneration is primarily determined by their ability to draw audiences to theatres rather than gender.

Saif spoke about the issue during a podcast hosted by his sister, actor Soha Ali Khan, where actor Kunal Kemmu also joined the discussion. The conversation explored how remuneration structures in the film business are shaped by market value and box-office performance.

Pay Depends on Star Power and Audience Demand

Addressing the debate on pay parity, Saif said that actors who hold similar stature in the industry should ideally earn comparable salaries. However, he emphasised that the economics of filmmaking plays a major role in determining pay.

“If the actors are of equal stature, they should be paid the same amount. But I also feel the economics work in a certain way. If you are putting people in seats in the theatre, you get paid accordingly. Everyone understands that relationship,” Saif said during the conversation.

He added that remuneration in the film industry is closely tied to market value and audience appeal rather than gender.

“It’s not like just because you are a certain gender you deserve to be paid more or less. It’s actually a very balanced economic system where people are clear that this person is a superstar because they are filling theatres. They know their worth, charge that price and get paid,” he said.

Kunal Kemmu Explains the ‘Maths’ Behind Actor Salaries

Kunal Kemmu elaborated on how financial calculations influence actors’ salaries. According to him, producers and distributors often estimate how much revenue a film can generate based on the star power attached to the project.

“There is a maths to it. This is the mathematical part, not whether a film will work or not — that’s a different thing,” he said, explaining that distributors historically estimated recovery by evaluating the market value of actors involved.

He noted that a film’s budget — including production and marketing — is frequently structured around the revenue a particular star can potentially generate. However, he also pointed out that in recent times some actors’ fees have grown disproportionately high, sometimes exceeding what the film itself can sustain financially.

Kemmu added that discussions about pay parity could shift significantly if female-led films consistently deliver box-office success comparable to male-driven blockbusters like Pathaan and Jawan.

Pay Differences Exist Even Within the Same Film

Recalling his experience working on the Golmaal franchise, Kemmu said pay differences among actors are common even when they appear in the same project.

“When we did Golmaal, there was Kareena Kapoor and five other actors. I’m sure Ajay Devgn got paid more than her, and she got paid more than all of us,” he said, adding that the film’s story and star value often influence payment decisions.

He emphasised that producers ultimately determine remuneration based on what a project can financially sustain.

Saif Reflects on Past Gender Disparities

Saif also acknowledged that the industry historically saw stronger gender-based disparities. He cited earlier generations of actresses such as his mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, and late star Sridevi, who were immensely popular but often paid significantly less than male co-stars.

“There was a time in the 1970s when huge movie stars like our mother Sharmila and later Sridevi were incredibly popular,” he said, noting that audiences loved seeing actors like Dharmendra paired with actresses such as Zeenat Aman, yet pay parity remained far from reality.

According to Saif, the situation has gradually improved over time as audience preferences and industry structures evolve.

“Now there is more parity. If people say they really like actors like Ananya Panday or Kareena Kapoor, they are getting paid more. The world is balancing out. Earlier, patriarchy was much stronger than it is now,” he said.

Saif Ali Khan’s Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Saif will next appear in the Netflix period drama Hum Hindustani, directed by Rahul Dholakia and also starring Pratik Gandhi. The film explores the behind-the-scenes story of India’s first democratic election.

He also has director Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Haiwaan in the pipeline, co-starring Akshay Kumar. The project has completed filming and is currently awaiting a release date.