‘Patriarchy is still deeply ingrained in the industry,’ says Kriti

Marking a 12-year milestone in Indian cinema, Kriti Sanon is currently preparing for the highly anticipated release of Cocktail 2.

In a recent conversation with GQ, the actor—who recently shared the screen with Dhanush in the commercially successful Tere Ishk Mein—candidly addressed the systemic biases that persist in Bollywood. Sanon highlighted the ongoing struggle for pay parity, noting that female leads are often the first to face salary cuts when production budgets are tightened, even as male stars command the lion's share of the finances.

Beyond financial discrepancies, Sanon pointed out the subtle, everyday manifestations of sexism on film sets. She observed:
“Patriarchy is still deeply ingrained in the industry,” says Kriti Sanon, highlighting a common set practice where women are rushed to be ready first so that male actors are never kept waiting.

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Reflecting on her professional beginnings, she recalled how these disparities were visible even in minor logistical details, such as male peers receiving superior amenities like better transport. While she acknowledged that contemporary directors and producers are becoming more forward-thinking, she emphasized that these deep-seated "subconscious" biases still require active effort to dismantle.

Fans can catch Sanon next in the Homi Adajania-directed Cocktail 2, featuring an ensemble cast including Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, which is slated to hit theaters on June 19. (With inputs from Agencies)