Zeenat Aman urges women in Bollywood to ask for pay parity

Veteran Bollywood star Zeenat Aman has once again spoken out about the gender pay gap in the entertainment industry. At The Hollywood Reporter India’s Women In Entertainment awards ceremony, where she was honored as the Iconic Artist, Zeenat urged women to continue pushing for pay parity and recognized the progress made over the years.

The 72-year-old actor, known for her bold performances in classic films like Don and Satyam Shivam Sundaram, has always been candid about the struggles of women in the industry. During her acceptance speech, she reminisced about a time when she was the only woman on set, and highlighted how much things have changed.

"I remember more than 50 years ago, I would be the only woman on set," Zeenat said. "Now, women are present in every sphere of filmmaking, whether it is direction, production, or cinematography. It is a remarkable change, and I am proud of the progress made."

However, she pointed out that despite these advancements, one critical issue remains unresolved—pay disparity. She made a direct appeal to women in the industry, saying, “Please, please push for pay parity. You’ve come a long way, baby! But there’s still work to do.”

Zeenat’s speech was met with thunderous applause, and she received the Iconic Artist award from fellow actor Sushmita Sen, who praised her contributions to Indian cinema. The event, which celebrated women’s achievements in entertainment, also emphasized the need for equal opportunities.

On the professional front, Zeenat Aman is set to return to the screen with Netflix’s upcoming series The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. She will also be seen in Bun Tikki, directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, alongside Shabana Azmi and Abhay Deol.