Kriti Sanon opens up about gender bias:From Radhika Apte to Deepika Padukone, Bollywood actresses who faced discrimination

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has once again highlighted the gender bias that still exists in the film industry. Speaking in a recent interview with The Indian Express, Kriti revealed that she has often been treated differently from her male co-stars despite having an equally important role in a film. She recalled instances where the male lead was given a larger vanity van, a bigger hotel room, and a better car during promotions, while she was expected to adjust. Kriti also pointed out that promotional campaigns are often designed around male actors, leaving female leads with less visibility even when they have substantial roles. She added that although things are slowly improving, there is still a long way to go before actors are treated equally. Kriti's comments have once again brought attention to the challenges many actresses have spoken about over the years. Deepika Padukone reportedly stepped away from Spirit One of the biggest recent debates involved Deepika Padukone and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film Spirit. Reports claimed that Deepika sought equal pay, reasonable working hours, and contractual clarity before joining the project. Although neither side confirmed the exact reason behind her exit, the reports sparked a wider conversation about whether actresses are judged more harshly than male actors for demanding professional working conditions and fair treatment. Priyanka Chopra spoke about unequal pay Priyanka Chopra Jonas has openly spoken about the pay gap in Bollywood on several occasions. She revealed that during her career in Hindi cinema, she was often paid much less than her male co-stars despite playing lead roles. Priyanka has said that she never received equal pay in Bollywood, adding that the wage gap between male and female actors has existed for decades. She has repeatedly advocated for equal opportunities and better representation for women in the industry. Taapsee Pannu questioned hero-centric promotions Taapsee Pannu has frequently spoken about the way Bollywood promotions revolve around male stars. According to the actress, even when women play central characters, marketing campaigns often focus on the male lead because producers believe it attracts larger audiences. She has also questioned why actresses continue to receive lower fees despite carrying films on their shoulders and delivering successful performances. Vidya Balan called out gender stereotypes Vidya Balan has often challenged the industry's double standards. She has said that actresses are judged far more on their appearance than their performances, while male actors are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny. Vidya has also criticised the practice of describing female-led films as "women-centric," arguing that no one labels films led by male actors as "men-centric." Kangana Ranaut has spoken about unequal treatment Over the years, Kangana Ranaut has repeatedly alleged that Bollywood operates differently for men and women. She has claimed that actresses often have to fight harder for equal recognition, better roles, and fair remuneration. Kangana has also criticised the industry's male-dominated decision-making, saying it often limits opportunities for women. Radhika Apte opened up about being replaced Actor Radhika Apte has revealed that she lost projects because filmmakers felt she did not fit conventional beauty standards. She has spoken about how actresses often face pressure to look a certain way, unlike many male actors, who are judged primarily on their performances. Anushka Sharma questioned unequal expectations Anushka Sharma has also spoken about the different standards applied to male and female actors. She once pointed out that actresses are expected to maintain unrealistic beauty standards while balancing demanding work schedules, whereas male actors are rarely questioned about the same issues.