Mollywood actress Nikhila Vimal, who is currently promoting her film Get Set Baby, has shared her thoughts on the ongoing pay controversy in the Malayalam film industry. The actress, who stars alongside Unni Mukundan in the film, addressed the issue of salary cuts and its impact on actors, especially women in the industry.

When asked during the promotion if actors should reduce their salaries amidst the industry's ongoing debates, Nikhila candidly remarked, “We don’t get paid that much. If we reduce it further, we won’t have anything.”

Her remarks come at a time when the Malayalam film industry is embroiled in controversy. Producer Suresh Kumar has publicly criticised the high salaries of actors, which he believes are contributing to the financial difficulties of the industry.

Kumar, who has been vocal about the current state of the Malayalam film industry, stated that the excessive remuneration paid to stars is a major reason behind the crisis. In a press conference, he highlighted the steep financial losses faced by producers and challenged stars to show films that have crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office, a figure often boasted about by actors. He also criticised the notion of a "100 crore club," calling it a myth.

Kumar’s comments come on the back of the decision by the Producers’ Association to call for a halt to all film-related activities in the state from June 1. This includes stopping film shootings, releases and promotions, as stakeholders in the industry continue to fight for better transparency and fairness in pay structures.