Kriti Sanon admits patriarchy is deeply ingrained in the industry: ‘Large chunk of the budget goes to male actor’

Kriti Sanon (Pic/Instagram)

Kriti Sanon has spoken candidly about the gender inequalities that persist in Bollywood, revealing how female actors are often paid less and treated differently on film sets. The actress admitted that patriarchy is deeply ingrained in the industry and is visible in small instances. She recalled how female actors often wait and are sometimes even denied basic facilities on sets. Now also a producer, Kriti says she wants to back stronger female-led stories and create more opportunities for women.

Kriti Sanon on gender bias in Bollywood

In an interview with GQ India, Kriti Sanon addressed gender bias in Bollywood. She said, "There's been some struggle around money. When they [producers] have to cut corners, they often negotiate down the female lead's fee, even though a large chunk of the budget goes to the male actor."

She added, "Patriarchy is still deeply ingrained in the industry, and we have to keep shaking things up to move towards equality. It shows up in the smallest ways too, for instance, there's often a tendency on a film set to check if the female actor is ready first, so the male actor doesn't have to wait. It's subconscious, but it needs to change."

Kriti on male actors getting better facilities

She also recalled instances where male co-stars, who were not even seniors, received better facilities. "I've always tried to stand up for myself, but early in my career, it was difficult to voice everything. I remember small things, like a male co-star, who wasn't a senior, getting a better car. Of course, it wasn't about the car, but about being respected equally. Most producers and directors today are progressive, but these biases still exist," she said.

Kriti, who is also a producer now, says she is drawn to strong female characters and wants to create more opportunities for women.

Kriti Sanon upcoming movies

Sanon was last seen in Aanand L Rai's romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein, alongside Dhanush.

The actress will next be seen in Homi Adajania's Cocktail 2, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The film is slated to release on June 19, 2026. Reportedly, she will also be seen with Vijay Deverakonda in a high-budget Telugu-Hindi pan-India film directed by Shouryuv.