Madhuri Dixit has been one of Indian cinema’s most loved and enduring stars, admired for her grace, versatility and the charisma she brings to every role. Over the years, she has built a legacy that stretches far beyond her hit films, becoming a symbol of professionalism and strength for generations of actors. With that experience behind her, Madhuri often speaks with clarity and honesty about the realities of the industry and one issue she refuses to ignore is pay inequality.
In a recent conversation, Madhuri Dixit addressed the long-standing gap between what male and female artistes are paid, saying the imbalance is not limited to Bollywood but is present in almost every profession. She reflected on her years working alongside some of the biggest names in Hindi cinema and said that pay parity has always been an issue, no matter the field or era.
She explained that inequality is visible everywhere, from the film industry to corporate offices, and women still find themselves fighting for fair compensation. Madhuri Dixit said that the demand is not about earning more than male actors but simply about reaching a point where pay feels balanced and respectful of the effort women bring to their work.
Her views resonate with the experiences of many other leading actresses such as Deepika Padukone, Bhumi Pednekar, Kriti Sanon and Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka has previously spoken about how cultural conditioning and insecurity often influence the way society views successful women, especially when they surpass traditional roles or expectations.
While Madhuri Dixit continues to champion important conversations, she is also preparing for her upcoming OTT series Mrs Deshpande, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. The thriller-drama marks her return in a layered and challenging role inspired by the French series La Mante. The show also features Siddharth Chandekar and Priyanshu Chatterjee and is produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Kukunoor Movies.
Mrs Deshpande is set to premiere on JioHotstar on December 19, 2025.
