Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu, in a recent interview with Indian Express, shed light on the pay disparity she faced while working on big projects like Dunki compared to films in which she starred.

Pannu explained that, contrary to popular belief, she gets paid more in the films she stars in than in big productions where she shares the screen with high-profile male actors.

“Funnily enough, people think that I do films like Judwaa or Dunki for money and get paid a lot,” he said. “But no, it’s the other way around; I get paid more to act in movies starring me, like Haseen Dillruba. “Other films don’t make me much money because they think they are doing me a favor by taking me into this kind of film,” Pannu explained, adding that this mentality shows that a “big hero” is already part of the project, no need for a high-paid female lead.

Pannu also touched on the control male leads exercise in casting decisions, emphasizing that in most big-budget films, heroes influence the choice of their female co-stars.

“Even audiences now know that until you become a huge, super successful director with your own audience, the heroes decide who the hero is in most movies. “Then the director will accept a call no matter what,” he said.

He added that in about 75 percent of films, male leads have a significant say in casting.

According to Pembe, actors often prefer to work with female actors who are currently “on trend” or attract the attention of the audience. “Some are safe, some think, ‘Let me choose someone who will not overshadow me,'” she said, touching on the competition in the industry and the underlying gender dynamics of Bollywood.

On the professional side, Taapsee was seen in Khel Khel Mein alongside an ensemble cast comprising Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, Ammy Virk, Pragya Jaiswal, Vaani Kapoor and Aditya Seal. She will next be seen in Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan opposite Pratik Gandhi.