Did 'Piku' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' Box Office Collections Impact Deepika Padukone, Kangana Ranaut's Careers?

Leading ladies have been complaining about pay discrimination in the industry for a long time, but the scene appears to have changed now.

According to a Deccan Chronicle source, Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut have asked their managers to increase their fee. From now on, the actresses will quote their amount and if rumours are to be believed, the producers are fine with it.

This change came after "Piku" roared at the box office and "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" mesmerised viewers this weekend.

On it's 13th day, the Shoojit Sircar directorial entered the ₹100-crore club (worldwide) and the domestic figure stands at ₹68.97 cr. Meanwhile, Aanand L Rai's rom-com made ₹21.85 crore in just two days, stated a Koimoi report.

"Both Piku and TWMR have done fantastic business at the box office without the backing of male lead actors. It shows a changing dynamic of the industry. Kangana and Deepika are the only two actresses today who can quote the sum they want and decide which filmmaker they want to work with. It also goes on to show that you don't necessarily need top banners to back you if you have a strong story and female lead," a source close to Kangana further elaborated.

Interestingly, this move could mean a potential threat to the young crop of actors.

However, B-Town's ladies are paid in crores for their contribution to Hindi cinema and beyond. According to a Times of India report, Katrina charges roughly ₹7 crore as endorsement fee. Last year, it was reported that Kareena Kapoor Khan made a whopping ₹8 crore from "Heroine", which failed at the box office.

Priyanka Chopra, who is now juggling her career at two fronts, one at home and the other overseas, was paid ₹25 crore for upcoming TV series "Quantico". Since there has been no official confirmation on the payment yet, it can be counted as a speculation.