Samantha Akkineni says small heroes are paid more than star actresses

Samantha Akkineni has expressed her opinion on the issue of pay differentials in the film industry. Female actors get paid lesser than their equivalent male counterparts. The discrimination against actresses is said to be systematic and reflective of the prevailing mores of male-domination in society.

As per the star actress, a hero who is not even in the Top 20 gets paid more than a heroine who is one of the Top 3. Speaking to Film Companion, Samantha said that an actress who demands a hike is seen as problematic by producers, while an actor wanting a hike is seen as a cool hero.

The issue of pay disparities in the film industry has been one of the most debated ones, at least in Bollywood media. In 2018, speaking in an interview, Anushka Shetty said that male actors draw audiences to theatres and that’s why they get paid more. However, the likes of Taapsee Pannu have fought for justice for female stars.

On the work front, Samantha’s ‘The Family Man 2’, the multi-lingual web series, was recently postponed from February to Summer. She is also doing Gunasekhar’s ‘Shaakunthalam’, which will go on the floors later this year.