Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon has once again highlighted the persistent issue of gender-based pay disparity within the film industry. Speaking at the CNN-News18 SheShakti 2025 event, Sanon questioned why men and women performing the same work should be valued differently, stating the pay gap "pinches us more than anyone else".

Sanon pointed out that this lack of parity is often linked to how female-led projects are treated; they typically receive smaller budgets compared to films headlined by men. This creates a "vicious circle," where producers are hesitant to invest heavily due to concerns about box office returns, subsequently affecting actors' fees.

Despite these hurdles, Sanon expressed cautious optimism, noting a gradual shift towards content-driven cinema. She cited the significant success of her 2024 release, Crew, co-starring Tabu and Kareena Kapoor, which grossed ₹157 crore worldwide. This film, she explained, proved that audiences are ready to embrace big-budget, women-centric films that are entertaining. 

Sanon also praised Gangubai Kathiawadi for its substantial scale and budget for a female-led narrative, which she felt was "larger than life". She believes more producers need to confidently invest in female-led content for things to truly change.