Actor and filmmaker Konkona Sensharma has never shied away from calling out what is wrong with the film industry. Recently, the actress opened up about the gender pay gap and why she considers herself fortunate to have escaped the worst of Bollywood’s systemic patriarchy. Let’s take a look at what she has to say.
Konkona Sensharma on escaping patriarchy
In an interview with News18, while acknowledging that many women in the industry are silenced or sidelined for speaking up, Konkona Sensharma was candid about why her experience has been different. She said, “I’m in a unique position of privilege. I’ve been an actor for so many years. I’m relatively well-known, so I may not be so easily dismissed. Education also plays a role here.”
She also spoke directly about how her mother, veteran filmmaker Aparna Sen, has shaped that privilege. She added, “I have a lot of privilege in this particular situation. So, mine may not be the most common experience. But there are women who’ve suffered because of patriarchy, and so have men. They aren’t able to find a voice or even an opportunity, unfortunately.”
Konkona Sensharma on gender gaps behind the camera
Konkona Sensharma pointed out that while some things have improved over the years, like women now being allowed to work as makeup artists on film sets, progress in other technical departments remains frustratingly slow.She said, “Equal opportunity is a big one, along with the gender pay gap that exists. In earlier films, even till seven-eight years back, only men were allowed to be makeup artists, and women were allowed to be hairdressers. But that has changed, which is a wonderful thing.”
More about Konkona Sensharma
Konkona Sensharma is helming her web show titled ‘Welcome to Khoya Mahal’, starring Aditi Rao Hydari and Barun Sobti. The series is expected to arrive on the streaming platform by late 2026 or early 2027.She was last seen in the film titled ‘Accused’. It premiered on OTT on February 27 this year.
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