Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan is on cloud nine these days. The 30-year-old is enjoying the positive reviews received by his latest movie October, which is doing steady business at the box office. Adding to his joy is a report of the actor getting paid a whopping amount of Rs. 32 crores for an upcoming dance flick, tentatively titled ABCD 3. Kudos to Bollywood’s new superstar who is yet to experience a box-office dud. While his success got us all cheerful, Indian cinema’s contentious relationship with female stars continues. On one hand, Varun Dhawan is charging Rs. 32 crores, his co-star in the film, Katrina Kaif is reportedly paid Rs. 7 crore! Yes, if the reports are to be believed Dhawan will be paid almost five times more than Kat and this new case of atrocious gender pay disparity is making us roll our eyes in disbelief (read: my blood is boiling)!

Helmed by choreographer-director Remo D’Souza, the dance film in question is touted to be grandest in the genre. Remo had earlier collaborated with Varun in 2015 dance film, ABCD 2 (he had also directed ABCD: Any Body Can Dance in 2013 with Prabhu Deva in the lead). With the successful actor-director jodi coming together along with a power-packed performer in form of Katrina Kaif, one can completely understand the hype around the film. But it is the remuneration part that has got throwing up our hands in air. A trade source was quoted speaking to a daily, “Varun has been lapped up for a staggering price for the dance film in which he teams up with Katrina Kaif. He will reportedly be paid Rs. 32 cr!” The report further adds Katrina’s fees for the film to be Rs. 7 crore while the film’s director Remo to get Rs. 12 crores!

Our first reaction/question is – Is Katrina making a special appearance or maybe an extended cameo in Varun Dhawan’s film? Because, otherwise how does one justify a film on dance featuring two stars selected on the basis of their dancing skills be paid with such vast difference. One has witnessed massive pay gaps in case of the Khans, Kumars and Roshans being paid way more than their female leads in the films. However, in their defense, they have years of stardom and, most importantly, are also associated with the film in more ways than just acting. Some examples are Shah Rukh Khan acting and producing Jab Harry Met Sejal or Raees, same is with Aamir Khan in Dangal, Salman Khan in Tubelight or Akshay Kumar in Padman. But in case of Varun, he neither boasts of more experience and star power than Katrina Kaif nor is more than an actor in this Bhushan Kumar’s T-series produced film!

While announcing in what is touted to be India’s biggest dance film, Bhushan Kumar had said, "Varun is a natural-born entertainer. The audience loves his antics on screen, especially his dance moves. Katrina has talent and the ability to work hard - she also has a unique mesmerising quality." Meanwhile, Remo said, “Varun, one of the best dancers today, and Katrina, who has shown us she can shake a mean leg." As of Varun himself on working with Katrina, he was full of praises about the actress saying, “I performed once in New York with Katrina and it was electric. She's gonna bring her A game so I need to get back into shape.”

Katrina has been one of the bankable actresses in Bollywood. While her acting skills have not won her critical appreciation, the 35-year-old has been perceived as the best dancer in the Hindi cinema industry. She has given memorable dance numbers such as Kamli, Chikni Chameli, Ishq Shava or Bang Bang. And when a film about dance and music genre ropes in two actors based on dancing skills and paid starkly different fees is mind-boggling.

Why are these figures so problematic? Because the aforementioned case is a textbook example of gender pay disparity. It is a massive problem across the globe and the topic is finally discussed out openly in Bollywood. Actor Aamir Khan had famously admitted that the gender pay gap in Bollywood results from the patriarchal mindset of society, which does not see women as heroes. He made this statement during the movie promotions of 2017 film Secret Superstar with 15-year-old Zaira Wasim in the lead, further adding that anyone who has the ability to fill seats gets a bigger share in the fee. While we understand his thought process, our question remains – Varun Dhawan and Katrina Kaif are both bankable superstars who are roped in for same set of skills (fiery dancing moves and dicey acting chops) but are paid differently!

It is time one sets an example that female stars would not take things lying down. While it is a bit too much to ask for but Katrina should turn down this offer if she is paid this humiliating fee as it dishonours her years of work. The gorgeous actress is infamously known for being too diplomatic and not taking a firm stand on any issue unlike her contemporaries Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut but there is always a first time. We want fiesty Kat to set an example in the industry for a brighter future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 18, 2018 06:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).