Exclusive|Kirti Kulhari on pay disparity in the film industry: There are different set of rules for 'stars' and other actors

Actress Kriti Kulhari will be next seen in Shekhar Home

Bollywood actress Kirti Kulhari, who formed her own production house Kintsukuroi Films in 2022, spoke about the pay parity and different treatment given to 'so-called stars’ in the industry.

In an exclusive conversation with MoneyControl, Kirti Kulhari addressed the long-standing issue of pay disparity and the misuse of star power in the film industry.

When MoneyControl asked her about the issue of entourage costs and producers bearing the brunt of it, Kriti highlighted the stark differences in treatment between established 'stars' and other actors. She also emphasized the need for a fairer system.

"Hone ko kuch bhi hosakta hai, but also what needs to happen na is this: yaha pe na industry mein, there are different rules for your so-called stars, and as you move down to the category of actors somehow the rules change. So, I am saying this again is not fair. Aap, so-called stars, you hype them up and give them the budget that they ask for. and I am sorry I have to segregate actors and stars, which I hope will end some day. I thought was ending with the advent of OTT and all of that coming in, but now I again see that system again coming to life,” she said.

Kirti Kulhari

Pay parity, the concept of equal pay for equal work, has been a hot topic in various industries for years. In Bollywood, the difference between the remuneration of top-tier stars and other actors is often vast, and exorbitant figures are quoted by the former.

This disparity is often justified by the 'star power' argument.

Kirti suggested that the system is skewed in favour of a select few and that this ‘imbalance is not only unfair but also unsustainable.’

“And even on OTTs or whatever you are segregated—"acha"iskeliye hume actors chahiye and iskeliye hume stars chahiye." So phirse woh ek separation shuru ho gaya hai, mujhe bahut clearly dikh raha hai. So I am saying ki yeh nahi ki aap bolenge humare paas stars ke liye budget hai but actors ke liye we have to cut down yaar. Then that it is not fair. So, when I talk about fairness, I am talking about it existing and happening everywhere. The moment you get into this vs. that, inko itna denge aur inko itna hi de sakte hai, I am sorry, but nobody is going to be okay with that. So, we have to move beyond something and become more human,” she added.

The issue of 'entourage costs', which is being called out by producers nowadays, also contributes to the widening pay gap.

Many A-list actors come with a large entourage that includes stylists, makeup artists, personal assistants, and bodyguards. These additional costs can significantly inflate a film's budget, further widening the gap between the remuneration of stars and other cast members.

Kriti Kulhari with R Madhavan

Talking about her expenditure when she is an actor for any project, Kriti said she is very reasonable and tries to keep the cost of her team in mind.

“Honestly, since I have turned producer, I must say that I have become very aware of it. It’s not just about me as an actor or what about my staff's comfort. Suddenly my eyes have opened to what it's actually about—how do you put up a project together and where your money is going? So, yes, I have become very aware. Undoubtedly, there are costs attached to actors that are humongous and unnecessary. It is just pure, simple pampering that doesn't make sense. I have come on the other side as well, and of course this is something I try to do, and I have had my own experiences and have realized that from my side I am very reasonable about the money that I put forward for my team. And I think I plan to sort of cap it in a way that is reasonable,” she said.

Kirti says she has a hair and make-up team with her, but their cost remains constant. She said the cost of the HMU team shouldn’t change with the actor’s success.

Kirti with the Khichidi cast

“It’s not how big I get and my staff becomes with me. If it’s an HMU team, they need to get bigger, and they need to charge what they are charging. It can’t be based on I am there and I am becoming bigger, so their cost should go up. I have to be very careful about it. I think it’s about people being more mindful about what they are asking for and why they are asking for what they are asking.

Kirti said that the producers must ‘stop giving in’ to the demands of the 'stars’.

“Does it make sense? Is it fair? These are questions that actors sort of need to ask themselves and their teams and sort it out. I think the producers have to stop giving in. I know there is a huge culture formed. Now breaking that system is going to take a while, and that is not going to happen overnight,” she affirmed.

Kriti said that everyone must come up with a solution to make the working place favorable for all.

Kirti added that the industry must move beyond the 'star system' and recognize the talent and contributions of all actors.

“‘I truly believe that just because you have had a couple of big hits, you are charging your shoots up and unreasonable amounts. I mean, what if tomorrow they fail? I am saying that there has to be some balance between what you are quoting—whether your films are doing very well or whether your films are not working. Dono phases aate hain aapke, toh kahin toh balance create ho ki aapko bhi lage ki I feel good, I am happy with this money. And these people who want to cost you are also like, Okay, he or she makes sense. So, it is with what they are charging, so let’s make this happen. "There are a lot of adjustments and a lot of calculations that have to happen at a lot of levels, actually,” she further said.

Kirti will be seen playing the role of Mumtaz in the detective series ‘Shekhar Home.’ The actress will be seen working with Kay Kay Menon, Ranvir Shorey, and Rasika Dugal. It is Kriti’s first time working in a detective series, and she says this was one of the major reasons for her to say yes to the show.

Kirti Kulhari in Shekhar Home

Kirti, who was the last person to come on board the show Shehka Home, said ‘there is a lot of fun elements to the show’ as well.

“I mean, so my character is called Mumtaz, and it’s a character that obviously has a lot of intrigue attached to it even when you see the show. There is more to her than meets the eye. I have never done something that is like a detective thing. And I have been a great fan of detective series and all of that. So, I like this genre a lot because Shekhar Home is also the tonality of it. It is not a serious investigative thing, you know; there is a lot of humour to it. There are a lot of fun elements that is there to the whole show,” she said.

Also Read: Exclusive - Kay Kay Menon on playing detective in Shekhar Home, says Shekhar would surprise you many times

Kirti made her debut as Paramjit in the hit comedy movie ‘Khichdi: The Movie’ in 2010. She has many hit films to her credit, which include Pink, Indu Sarkar, Mission Mangal, and Uri: The Surgical Strike, to name a few.

The actress is now working with R. Madhavan for her next venture, Hisaab Barabar.

Her latest show, Shekhar Home, will stream from August 16 on Jio Cinema.