Sonakshi Sinha, Jyotika on male stars being treated like 'God' on film sets
Ahead of System's release, Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika spoke to India Today about gender disparity on film sets, workplace bias and pay parity in the industry. The actors also described the film as a realistic courtroom and family drama centred on strong female characters.
Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika, who lead Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s System, spoke about gender disparity on film sets and the way some male stars are treated during shoots. In an exclusive chat with India Today ahead of the film’s release, they also discussed workplace bias and pay scales in the industry.
The actors also described System as a “courtroom and family drama, with a dash of friendship, set in a realistic world”. The film, which also stars Ashutosh Gowariker, has Sonakshi and Jyotika playing strong individuals in both their personal and professional lives.
Gender disparity on sets
In the film, Sonakshi’s character speaks about the difficulties of surviving in a public prosecutor’s office, where there are no clean washrooms available for women.
Speaking about the difference in the way actors are treated on sets, Sonakshi said, “Depends on set to set. There have been sets where you work with certain people, directors especially, who are like, ‘Oh, the hero is the God. Baaki koi exist hi nahi karta (no one else exists)'. And then there are a few who treat you with equal respect, which is always great.”
Jyotika said the treatment often depends on the men in power. Sonakshi added, “Yes, I think it depends more on the people you are working with. A lot of them like their ego to be stroked as well, right? So I think it depends set to set.”
The discussion also touched on actor Kriti Sanon’s recent remarks about patriarchy being so ingrained in the industry that teams first check whether an actress is ready so that a male star does not have to wait. Sonakshi and Jyotika agreed that such things do happen on some sets, though they had a different view on pay scales.
Pay parity in the industry
Speaking about the gap in pay between male and female actors, Sonakshi said, “You know what, I used to really question it, but then I saw an interview with Aamir Khan, and he just spit out real facts. He said the day an actor pulls those kinds of numbers and audiences to the theatre; they should get that kind of pay, and I actually agree with him. We have more male viewers also. So I think the ball has fallen into their court automatically. I used to question earlier, but I mean, he just explained it so beautifully and it’s true.”
On the film System and their characters
Talking about the film and their characters, Sonakshi said, “Nothing has been overly dramatised, and it's a very relatable film. There are a lot of emotions and vulnerabilities that people will relate to. We have played two wonderful characters, and it was truly a very enjoyable process. I think it's a film that everybody, in some way, will be able to relate to.”
Jyotika said the story may appear gender-agnostic, but she believed it needed women at the centre. “I think it was always written for a woman, for the complexities, sensitivities and vulnerabilities that a female character brings... I don't think a male character could have done it in that particular way. And even the lighter moments, the fun moments,” she expressed.
Sonakshi echoed that view and said, “A lot of their bonding is based on, you know, like how female friendships kind of start developing. And I think that to bring that out has been really nice for two women to play it.”
System will premiere on Prime Video on May 22.
Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika, who lead Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s System, spoke about gender disparity on film sets and the way some male stars are treated during shoots. In an exclusive chat with India Today ahead of the film’s release, they also discussed workplace bias and pay scales in the industry.
The actors also described System as a “courtroom and family drama, with a dash of friendship, set in a realistic world”. The film, which also stars Ashutosh Gowariker, has Sonakshi and Jyotika playing strong individuals in both their personal and professional lives.
Gender disparity on sets
In the film, Sonakshi’s character speaks about the difficulties of surviving in a public prosecutor’s office, where there are no clean washrooms available for women.
Speaking about the difference in the way actors are treated on sets, Sonakshi said, “Depends on set to set. There have been sets where you work with certain people, directors especially, who are like, ‘Oh, the hero is the God. Baaki koi exist hi nahi karta (no one else exists)'. And then there are a few who treat you with equal respect, which is always great.”
Jyotika said the treatment often depends on the men in power. Sonakshi added, “Yes, I think it depends more on the people you are working with. A lot of them like their ego to be stroked as well, right? So I think it depends set to set.”
The discussion also touched on actor Kriti Sanon’s recent remarks about patriarchy being so ingrained in the industry that teams first check whether an actress is ready so that a male star does not have to wait. Sonakshi and Jyotika agreed that such things do happen on some sets, though they had a different view on pay scales.
Pay parity in the industry
Speaking about the gap in pay between male and female actors, Sonakshi said, “You know what, I used to really question it, but then I saw an interview with Aamir Khan, and he just spit out real facts. He said the day an actor pulls those kinds of numbers and audiences to the theatre; they should get that kind of pay, and I actually agree with him. We have more male viewers also. So I think the ball has fallen into their court automatically. I used to question earlier, but I mean, he just explained it so beautifully and it’s true.”
On the film System and their characters
Talking about the film and their characters, Sonakshi said, “Nothing has been overly dramatised, and it's a very relatable film. There are a lot of emotions and vulnerabilities that people will relate to. We have played two wonderful characters, and it was truly a very enjoyable process. I think it's a film that everybody, in some way, will be able to relate to.”
Jyotika said the story may appear gender-agnostic, but she believed it needed women at the centre. “I think it was always written for a woman, for the complexities, sensitivities and vulnerabilities that a female character brings... I don't think a male character could have done it in that particular way. And even the lighter moments, the fun moments,” she expressed.
Sonakshi echoed that view and said, “A lot of their bonding is based on, you know, like how female friendships kind of start developing. And I think that to bring that out has been really nice for two women to play it.”
System will premiere on Prime Video on May 22.
