Salman Khan, who is one of the highest paid actors of Bollywood, asserted that there is no gender-based pay disparity in the industry and termed the debate as 'bullshit' talk.
Several stars have claimed that there is a lot of discrimination in terms of remuneration between male and female actors. However, the "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" actor asserted that every actor's fee is decided on the basis of the profit they bring in for the producers and distributors.
"The question is who is pulling those people into a theatre? If a female star is getting those many people and the producer is making money, the exhibitor and distributor are all making money, then obviously the female actors will get that much money. But if it's a male star, then he will get it," Salman Khan told Hindustan Times when quizzed about the supposed pay disparity in Bollywood.
Pointing out that there are a number of male actors who are paid less than their female counterparts, Salman said, "There are so many male stars who get a lot less than many female stars. There are male stars in the Rs 1 to 3 crore bracket and there are lots of female stars in the Rs 5 to 7 crore bracket. Why no one talks about that? So this whole female stars-male stars debate is bullshit. Whoever is selling and as much he or she is selling, will get that much."
Salman also stated that now there are managers who continuously monitor the stars' popularity and the industry, and the fee is decided on a calculated basis.
Earlier, Anupam Kher had stated on Twitter that Salman Khan was paid less that Madhuri Dixit for the movie "Hum Aapke Hain Koun". However, when Salman was asked about the same he said he is not sure about the reports.
"I am not really aware of it but I don't think it is true. But I hope it is true," Mid-Day quoted the actor when asked if Madhuri was paid more than him for the blockbuster.
