TV's leading ladies take the lead in pay parity battle

India Today

07-06-2025

Ever since actor Deepika Padukone walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit', citing concerns over work hours and remuneration, the issue of fair pay has taken centre stage. Her decision sparked a larger conversation, empowering many to speak up and demand a much-needed revision in their fee structures. While Bollywood still grapples with this situation, the scenario is not the same on television.advertisementYes, you read that right! Tables have turned when it comes to remuneration in the world of television. Gone are the days when TV was dismissed as the "small screen." Today, television productions rival Bollywood not just in scale, but also in budgets and actor salaries. While there is ongoing debate about whether TV actors deserve such high pay, it's undeniable that they work under intense conditions, for more days each month, and sometimes portray the same character for years, even a decade.Interestingly, the highest-paid actors in the television space are largely women, with names like Rupali Ganguly, Divyanka Tripathi, Sakshi Tanwar, and Ankita Lokhande topping the list.
Do you remember Smriti Irani in 'Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'? Her character, Tulsi, became iconic, and her popularity undeniably drove the show's massive success, giving her immense bargaining power. Fresh out of modelling and making her debut, Irani gave tough competition to all her contemporaries.advertisementActor Deepti Sadhwani, who was a part of 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', stated that Indian television shows have always been female-driven and that their role in the same defined their negotiation power.While talking to IndiaToday.in exclusively, she cited past examples and said, 'Women have always had certain leverage in television, especially when their character plays a crucial role in the storyline. If makers believe that removing a female lead will negatively impact TRPs, they know they'll have to negotiate and meet her demands. However, if they feel they can write her off, kill her character, or replace her through a plastic surgery twist without affecting viewership, they won't hesitate to make that move.'There have been instances in the past where shows with a strong fan base struggled on the ratings charts after replacing their popular female leads.Shilpa Shinde's fan following as Angoori Bhabhi in 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' was unparalleled. Her quirky charm and comic timing made the character iconic and a household name. However, things took a toss for the team after she was replaced with Shubhangi Atre, leaving several fans expressing their disapproval and disappointment. While they were still struggling with Shilpa's exit, another shocker came for fans when actor Disha Vakani, who played the role of Dayaben on 'Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah', left the show for her maternity break. Since then, fans have been demanding her return.advertisementReferring to such examples, Sadhwani remarked how 'Kyunkii Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' always played around the male characters while keeping the story intact around the female protagonist.'Take the example of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Mihir ki kitni baar plastic surgery hui thi (Mihir's character was recast multiple times) whereas Smriti Irani's role as Tulsi was only replaced once. And now, years later, she's returning for the second season. That wouldn't have happened if her portrayal hadn't left such a lasting impact,' she said.She further shared how a show's popularity often rests on the shoulders of its female lead.'In Anupamaa, Rupali Ganguly is the undisputed hero of the show. The makers might change the actors opposite her, but replacing her isn't an option because she drives the TRPs. Ultimately, it all comes down to how much value you bring to a show,' Sadhwani added.These instances highlight that a show's TRP and popularity are mainly dependent on female leads.Actor Madhura Naik, who has been a part of shows like 'Pyaar Ki Ye Ek Kahaani', 'Forever Yours' and more, begged to differ and had a different story to share. The actor told IndiaToday.in that she faced pay disparity, which resulted in her backing out of a popular show.advertisement'I've personally encountered this on multiple occasions throughout my career. In fact, I made the difficult decision to step away from 'Tumhari Paakhi' because I was not granted a justified raise, while my co-star Iqbal Khan was being remunerated considerably more. This was despite the fact that Shraddha Arya and I were equally instrumental in driving the show's TRPs.'And that's not all! The actor added that this isn't the first time she's faced such treatment. Despite contributing to the industry in multiple ways, Nayak revealed there has always been a noticeable disparity when it came to recognising and compensating her talent.'At several occasions, I felt I was being paid less. It was quite clear that despite contributing equally to a show's success, there was often a significant gap in compensation. And while one learns to navigate these challenges with grace, it does leave you questioning the fairness of it all,' she added.advertisementWith females shouldering the responsibilities and working at par with men on the screen, TV has now finally acknowledged their contribution. Despite being the driving force, there have been moments when the actors felt that they were underpaid even when they worked harder or had more screen time than their male co-stars.But things are finally beginning to change. More and more women in the industry are now speaking up, demanding fair pay, and making sure their efforts are valued.As we still try to go deeper into the issue, actor Prachi Tehlan, known for TV shows like 'Ikyawan' and her work in South cinema, shared her optimism about the shifting narrative.'Thankfully, the narrative is slowly shifting. Many leading ladies are now voicing their worth and negotiating based on their experience and contribution. It's empowering to see women in the industry standing up for equal pay and pushing for what they rightfully deserve. Change may be gradual, but it's certainly happening,' Tehlan told IndiaToday.inWhen it comes to remuneration in the entertainment industry, there's often more than meets the eye. While experience and popularity undeniably play a role, the factors that influence how much an actor is paid can be complex and opaque.advertisementWhile we believe that women are the face of television, actor Hiten Tejwani enlightened us with several factors that could lead to women facing disparity.'There could be several reasons, you know. One of the main ones, as far as I can guess, is popularity, how well-known you are, the number of shows or films you've done, things like that. That could be a factor.'So, the conversation around pay parity in television is long overdue but finally gaining momentum. However, with more female actors now taking a stand, backed by strong examples of their value both on screen and on ratings charts, the tides are clearly turning.Must Watch