Shefali Shah feels she is not in a position to ask for more money: 'Rarely have I come across a producer who says, ‘I will pay you more’'

Actress Shefali Shah has weighed in on the persistent issue of pay disparity in Bollywood, calling for a more equitable compensation structure in the industry. In a recent conversation, she addressed the stark wage gap between male and female actors and suggested a merit-based payment system.
In an interview with Humans of Bombay, the 'Delhi Crime' actress acknowledged the growing success of female-led films. Despite this progress, she noted that remuneration for women actors still lags behind that of their male counterparts. “Very rarely have I come across a producer who says, ‘I will pay you more.’ Maybe I’m not in a position to demand it, but I’m sure other actors are,” she revealed.

Shefali pointed out that Bollywood’s business model has traditionally revolved around male stars, but the narrative is shifting. With many films driven by women actors proving to be commercial hits, she raised an important question—has the pay scale truly adapted to this change?
Advocating for a merit-based structure, the actress argued that talent and contribution should dictate an actor’s pay rather than gender. She also questioned the criteria used to determine an artist’s worth, highlighting the contradiction of casting someone in a lead role while undervaluing their financial compensation.
When asked how stardom defines pay parity in the industry, she revealed that she had never experienced stardom in her career.
Shefali Shah is now gearing up for the much-anticipated 'Delhi Crime Season 3', set to premiere on OTT in 2025. While the official release date is yet to be announced, recent reports confirm that Huma Qureshi has joined the cast for the upcoming season.