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Priyamani

Her releases of 2024 so far - a Telugu film in Bhamakalapam 2, and Hindi movies Article 370 and Maidaan - prove that Priyamani is effortlessly juggling Hindi and south offerings. Naturally, it has also given her a ringside view of both industries' functioning. While many of Bollywood's leading ladies have highlighted the issue of pay disparity and urged that they be paid on a par with their male counterparts, where does Priyamani stand on it?

"I echo what a certain Hindi actor said - that the pay also depends on the audience you can pull into theatres. If you have box-office pull, ask for what you want. Actresses like Kareena [Kapoor Khan] and Kriti [Sanon] are headlining successful projects in Bollywood, and in the south, Nayanthara and Samantha do the same. They get what they ask for as they have that box-office pull," says the actor, who is currently shooting the third season of The Family Man and awaiting the release of her Tamil film, Quotation Gang.

The actor, however, is quick to underline that female actors should know what they bring to the table and never settle for less. "I am happy to say that I get what I ask for. There may be negotiations sometimes, but I get what I deserve. I won't demand what somebody else gets, but I will never undersell myself."