Male stars get better vanity vans, washrooms: Nushrratt Bharuccha calls out unequal treatment in Bollywood

Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha recently exposed a jarring example of gender privilege faced by actresses on film sets, calling out the better treatment that male actors receive in comparison to female counterparts.

She said the male actors get superior vanity vans and washrooms—a disparity she described as casual sexism she didn’t challenge at the time.

Nushrratt recalled once asking to use the hero’s washroom or vanity van because they were much better than hers.

This anecdote sits within a broader context where women in entertainment face unequal access, pay, and workspace—mirroring gender bias seen across industries too.

Many actresses have spoken out about pay gaps. Deepika Padukone refused lower pay compared to male leads, stating: “If they say don’t charge so much because they want Ranbir Kapoor, then I demand equal amount."

Likewise, Kangana Ranaut has said that male counterparts with similar workload earn far more and that gender shouldn’t determine remuneration.

Taapsee Pannu also called out the double standard: when women ask for higher pay they’re labelled difficult; if men do, it’s considered ambition—and observes men who started with her now earn 3–5 times more.

Huma Qureshi highlighted pay inequality persisting even in OTT platforms—despite her success in shows like Maharani, male actors continue to earn significantly more.

Bhumi Pednekar shared that despite comparable output to male co-stars, she was paid noticeably less, though she believes the gap is slowly narrowing.

These experiences reflect patterns beyond Bollywood. Even in corporate and entertainment sectors, women report lower income and fewer perks.

Bharuccha also said that despite delivering a blockbuster, her agency dropped her soon thereafter, and she remained without assignments for nearly two years.

She spoke about being an outsider in the industry where star kids and influencers dominate casting. She highlighted how patriarchy manifests subtly, from backstage facilities to representation and remuneration.

She shared how journalists would introduce male stars as “talented” or “dynamic” while describing actresses simply as “beautiful,” glossing over their craft.