Mumbai: Ling Pay Gap has long been the subject of debate in Bollywood, where male superstars earn large scale salary, while actresses often earn significantly rarely, even when the axis play a spindle role. And many actresses have openly raised this point. One such example took place in the early 2000s when Kareena Kapoor was designed to act in Kal Ho Na Ho, but lost the role after demanding equal pay as Shah Rukh Khan.

At that time, Kareena was one of the most sought -of -the -old actresses in Bollywood, who gave successful films like Kabi Khusi Kabi Gham and Mujes Dosti Karoge. When Karan Johar contacted Naina’s role in Kal Ho Na Ho, he allegedly sought an equal fee to Shahrukh Khan.

However, his demand was not sitting well with filmmakers. Karan Johar, who was producing the film, was taken and selected to cast Preity Zinta instead. The film became a big success, which earned the world and grossed 85 crores and strengthened its place as a Bollywood classic.

In his autobiography, in an inappropriate boy, Karan Johar opened about the incident, which revealed that this caused a rift between him and Kareena, who did not talk to each other for more than a year.

He wrote, “I will be friends weekend!” I said, ‘Sorry.’ I was very hurt. I told my father, ‘Leave that talk room,’ and I called him. He did not take my phone, and I said, ‘We are not taking her.’ And we signed Preity Zinta instead. ,

The Cold War between Karan and Kareena lasted for 18 months until Karan’s father Yash Johar came to know of cancer. This was when Kareena reached out, and she reconciled.

Kareena Kapoor’s experience was an early example of an actress challenging salary inequality in Bollywood. Years later, she continued to advocate equal pay, in an interview, saying that she would move away from a project rather than accepting unfair compensation.

While Bollywood has seen gradual progress in Pay Equity, the industry still has a long way. However, Kareena’s bold stand paved the way for more actresses to demand their merit, leading to more prominent conversations around gender payment inequality than ever.