Pallavi Joshi: I Earned Half Of Shekhar Suman’s Fee

MUMBAI-Actress and producer Pallavi Joshi has recalled facing pay disparity at the peak of her television career in the 1990s, revealing that despite being the highest-paid television actress of the era, she earned only half of what actor and television host Shekhar Suman was paid.

Recalling those days, Pallavi said, “I will tell you there was a time when there was a magazine cover page that had Shekhar Suman’s and my photograph. I think because Shekhar Suman and I were the highest-paid actors of television back in those days.”

She further highlighted the disparity in remuneration between male and female actors during that period.

“Shekhar Suman used to get twice the amount that I got. In spite of me being the highest-paid television actress, I was still paid half the price of what he was paid. That says it all,” she added.

Pallavi was among the most prominent faces on Indian television during the late 1980s and 1990s. She earned acclaim for her performances in shows such as ‘Mriganayani’, ‘Talaash’ and ‘Aarohan’, establishing herself as one of the most respected actresses on the small screen.

Shekhar Suman, meanwhile, enjoyed immense popularity through television shows including ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh’, ‘Wah Janaab’ and ‘Movers & Shakers’.

Pallavi’s remarks once again draw attention to the long-standing issue of gender-based pay disparity in the entertainment industry. (IANS)