Veteran Bollywood actors Asha Parekh and Tanuja opened up about the issues of pay disparity and the lack of proper hygienic conditions on sets in Bollywood.
In a recent conversation on Maitri: Female First Collective on YouTube, both Asha and Tanuja talked about a number of issues that are still prevailing in Bollywood like pay disparity and ageism, and said, “Payment was always a problem – previously and even now. Men always had a higher standing. Even Hollywood has not been able to do it… We can’t blame the guys. We gave them the power to rule.”
Talking about ageism in the film industry, Asha Parekh said, “Today, Mr Amitabh Bachchan, at this age also, people are writing roles for him. Why aren’t people writing roles for us? We also should be getting some roles which are important to the film. That’s not there. Either we are playing mother or sister Who’s interested?” Adding to this topic, Tanuja said, “Or now we’re given grandmother roles.”
Highlighting the lack of proper bathrooms in the film sets, Asha Parekh also said how they were told to remain silent about the fact that there are no bathrooms. The actor recalled how studios just had one bathroom for everybody and they were in horrible condition most of the time.
Asha Parekh went on giving films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966). Tanuja debuted in the film Chhabili (1960), and then went on to star in films like Deya Neya (1963), Chand Aur Suraj (1965), Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966), Jewel Thief (1967) among others.
