Tejasswi Prakash Speaks Out on Industry Pay Disparity and Role Selection
Tejasswi Prakash, a celebrated actress known for her roles in popular shows such as Swaragini, Bigg Boss 15, Naagin 6, and Psycho Saiyaan, has recently opened up about the issue of pay disparity in the entertainment industry. In an exclusive interview with News18, she shared her personal experiences and insights, highlighting her commitment to meaningful work over financial gain.
Addressing Pay Disparity: A Personal Perspective
When asked about pay disparity, Tejasswi Prakash stated that she has not encountered gender-based underpayment in her career. "I’ve not faced pay disparity. Mere saath nahi hua. If I felt I was being paid lesser than my male co-actors just because I’m a woman, I would voice it out. But I don’t think I was ever underpaid due to my gender," she explained. She further noted that in many of her projects, she has been compensated more than her male counterparts, emphasizing that any differences are often due to seniority rather than gender. "I can’t compare my pay with someone who’s super senior to me. That would be silly. If a male actor has done a lot of work over the years, he’ll surely be paid more. But that’s because of seniority and not because they’re men," she added.
Choosing Meaningful Roles Over Lucrative Offers
Tejasswi Prakash revealed that she has frequently turned down high-paying film offers in favor of roles with strong female characters. She expressed frustration with the lack of substantial female roles in many scripts offered to her. "I want meaty roles but the scripts that are offered to me don’t have a strong female role, largely. And that’s why I’ve said no many times," she said. She also criticized the industry's tendency to use actors for publicity rather than meaningful contributions. "A great title with some great actors, directors, production houses and platforms attached to it are great on your resume but they don’t let you do a lot in them. But when it finally releases, I don’t want my viewers to say that I’m hardly doing anything in it. A lot of times, they want you in it for the views. But I don’t want that. I don’t want to be used like that," she elaborated.
Current Projects and Future Aspirations
Currently, Tejasswi Prakash is featured in Laughter Chefs season 3, where she partners with Arjun Bijlani in a cooking show. This unexpected culinary journey showcases her versatility beyond acting. Her candid discussion underscores her dedication to authenticity and quality in her career, advocating for better representation and fair treatment in the entertainment industry.
