There have been long-standing discussions over equal pay for women in showbiz, which got louder when Hollywood actress- director Robin Wright, who is currently seen in a powerful lead in Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’, decided to stand for her rights and force the makers to re-think about her remunerations. Wright, who plays the matriarch Claire Underwood, opposite Kevin Spacey demanded to get similar remuneration as that of Spacey, who plays a Frank Underwood, the ruthless American President in the popular TV series.
Addressing the Rockfellar Foundation recently, Wright revealed: “There are very few films or TV shows where the male, the matriarch, the patriarch are equal. And they are in House of Cards.” Wright threatened to go public, if she wasn’t paid at par with Spacey, who plays the president Frank Underwood.
We hear that Wright was way too forthcoming to stress more remuneration. “I was looking at the statistics and Claire Underwood’s character was more popular than Frank’s for a period of time. So I capitalized on it,” said Wright. The actress asked the studios either to pay her or she would “go public”. “And they did,” she revealed.
According to the Forbes estimates, Spacey was reportedly paid $9m for season 3, while Wright apparently received $5.5m. Season 4 had a larger part of Wright, which led her vehemently, press her demands.
In the last few years, the demand for equal pay has got louder. Actresses in Hollywood have been openly discussing the issue, which has boosted confidence in Bollywood actresses to talk about it too. Indian film industry, unfortunately, has been a male dominated workplace, where the role of the female lead has largely been that of a decorative piece. The issue of equal pay never occurred in Indian showbiz, as giving a meatier role and more money was an unwritten code since time immemorial.
Barring a few instances, when actresses such as Kangana Ranaut, Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai muttered a line or two, not many actresses have come forward to talk about getting equal remuneration. Pan Nalin, director of ‘Angry Indian Goddess,’ gave an honest opinion on why equal pay rule will take time to get implemented. Nalin said that Bollywood uses actresses more as ‘ornaments, decoration or for item numbers, while male stars get most of the screen time and great lines’.
The discussion over equal pay has been linked with the fact that remuneration should be largely on the basis of talent, irrespective of the gender of the actors.
The issue has been discussed at various platforms:
Meryl Streep: Multi-Oscar winner Meryl Streep has referred herself as a humanist more than a feminist. One of the biggest supporters of equal pay for women, Streep pointed at the existing sexism in the society that lead to differences in pay.
Patricia Arquette: While accepting the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2015, Patricia demanded equal pay and equal rights for women in her speech. This was a landmark speech as her strong words were cheered by several prominent Hollywood actresses including Meryl Streep, who was seated in the front row at the award ceremony.
Jennifer Lawrence: ‘The Hunger Games’ star strongly condemned the fact that she was earning less than her male co-stars. The vented out her thoughts over disparity in remuneration by posting a long essay on the blog Jenny Letter, titled ‘Why do I make less than my Male co-stars’. J-Law confirmed of earning considerably less than her male co-stars in ‘American Hustle’.
Emma Thompson: ‘Love Actually’ star Emma Thompson, is most high-profile supporter of gender equality and pay parity for women. She actively campaigned for the equal opportunity and equal pay for women. “I am backing them because I have met and talked with them and a more committed, bright, inspiring bunch of women with fantastic ideas I have never found,” she said recently during Mayoral elections in London.
Kangana Ranaut: The three-time National Award winning actress refused to work with the Khans only to avoid being a showpiece. Being one of the highest paid actresses of the recent times, Kangana has supported remuneration package on the basis of length and importance of the role. The gender neutral pattern of remuneration may not be a norm in Bollywood, but, Kangana is possibly the only actress to speak about it.
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