Smriti Irani Opens Up About Pay Equality Ahead of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s Comeback
Smriti Irani shared insights into how she and producer Ekta Kapoor helped bring change to the television landscape.
Smriti Irani is preparing to return to television screens with the new season of the iconic series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Her comeback will see her reunited with Amar Upadhyay, reviving the cherished on-screen pairing of Tulsi and Mihir. Irani, now a politician, has spent decades in the television industry, with notable appearances in shows such as Ramayan, Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan, and Virrudh.
In a recent episode of We The Women with Karan Johar, Irani opened up about the topic of gender pay gap in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on the progress made in collaboration with Ekta Kapoor, she discussed how she eventually managed to earn a higher salary than the male lead in her show.
“Nowadays, among what is called the woke generation, there’s much discussion about equal pay. Back then, we managed to break the so-called glass ceiling when the female lead confidently declared she was earning more than the male actor,” Irani said. She added that if similar circumstances arise with the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, she believes Ekta Kapoor—known for challenging norms—would aim for the same again.
Irani also disclosed that she wasn’t initially earning more than her male counterpart when she first signed on. “When I joined the show, I was not being paid more than the male lead,” she admitted, adding that over time, with the backing of her producer, she succeeded in narrowing the wage gap.
Together with Ekta Kapoor, Irani helped set a new precedent in the television space. “I recall during the finalisation of that particular agreement, Ekta Kapoor was deeply focused on the historical moment we were about to create,” she said. While others were concerned with salary figures, Kapoor was thinking about the barriers they could break and the new benchmarks they might establish in the industry.
The new season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which had earlier faced delays due to Vastu-related issues, is now set to begin production from July 3.
