Latest news with #Wamiqa
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Wamiqa Gabbi admits pay disparity exists in Bollywood: ‘Reasoning is that a male actor can pull more audience'
Actor Wamiqa Gabbi called out the pay gap in the film industry. In a new interview, she questioned why male actors' fees aren't scrutinised or reduced when their films flop, while women often bear the brunt of criticism and pay cuts. Also read: Here's how Shah Rukh Khan reacted when Wamiqa Gabbi told him 'nas kat lungi' at first meeting During a conversation with Zoom, Wamiqa spoke about the issue of pay disparity in the industry, saying women continue to be paid less than their male counterparts. 'The fact that pay disparity exists doesn't consume me, but there is this feeling that you're a woman and you will be paid less and that is how it is. The reasoning is that a male actor can pull that much audience, but you can't make a film without the heroine. I don't understand the logic behind this. Sometimes, they take a hero and pay a lot of money, and then the film doesn't work. Why doesn't their fees get affected?" Wamiqa said. And the actor is finding her own way to fight back against the pay gap. She added, 'I want to find different ways to earn that money. I wish to do it in a creative way where I feel happier and decrease that pay gap for myself. I can't deny this fact that pay disparity is there. Not every 'male-centric' film can do without the female lead." Wamiqa was recently seen in Bhool Chuk Maaf opposite Rajkummar Rao. The film also stars Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra and Ishtiyak Khan. It is produced by Dinesh Vijan under his banner Maddock Films. Bhool Chuk Maaf revolves around a soon-to-be-married man who realises that he is stuck in a time loop and keeps reliving the day before his wedding. Directed by Karan Sharma, the romantic comedy film was released on May 23. Next, she will be seen in Dil Ka Darwaza Khol Na Darling, Bhooth Bangla and Goodachari 2.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Wamiqa Gabbi Calls Out Pay Gap, Asks ‘Why Don't Male Actors' Fees Get Affected When Films Flop'
Last Updated: Wamiqa Gabbi slams pay disparity in Bollywood, asks why male actors aren't penalised when their films fail at the box office. Wamiqa Gabbi, who has steadily carved her niche in the Hindi film industry, is no longer holding back on topics others might shy away from. After the success of Bhool Chuk Maaf, which strengthened her position as a reliable performer, the actress is now speaking candidly about gender-based pay disparity in Bollywood and questioning the industry's long-standing logic behind actor remuneration. In a recent interview with Zoom, Wamiqa, who comes from a non-film background, opened up about navigating her career and the uphill battle female actors face. She pointed out how, despite proven talent and on-screen impact, women continue to be paid less than their male counterparts. 'The fact that pay disparity exists doesn't consume me," she said, 'but there is this feeling that you're a woman and you will be paid less and that is how it is. The reasoning is that a male actor can pull that much audience, but you can't make a film without the heroine. I don't understand the logic behind this. Sometimes, they take a hero and pay a lot of money, and then the film doesn't work. Why doesn't their fees get affected?" Her pointed observations have struck a chord with many who have long criticised the industry's double standards. Wamiqa went on to say that she is finding creative ways to prove her commercial worth and fight back against the pay gap. 'I want to find different ways to earn that money. I wish to do it in a creative way where I feel happier and decrease that pay gap for myself. I can't deny this fact that pay disparity is there. Not every 'male-centric' film can do without the female lead." Post-Bhool Chuk Maaf, Wamiqa is set to appear in Dil Ka Darwaza Khol Na Darling alongside Jaya Bachchan and Siddhant Chaturvedi. She also has Priyadarshan's horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla with Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and Paresh Rawal, and will headline the Telugu action-thriller Goodachari 2 with Adivi Sesh. First Published: June 06, 2025, 04:39 IST
News18
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Does Wamiqa Gabbi Have Friends In Bollywood? Here's What The Bhool Chuk Maaf Actor Says
'I have very friendly friendships with a lot of people," Wamiqa Gabbi said, in an interview with Siddharth Kanan, 'but very few real friends. Because dosti karne mein waqt lagta hai." Her voice carried a quiet wisdom, a clarity born from years of observing people come and go — both in life and in cinema. For Wamiqa, friendship isn't about frequent appearances on social media or sharing numerous inside jokes over brunch. It's about presence — the kind that doesn't need words, likes, or validation. 'A real friend is someone you call the moment something amazing happens… and also the person you call when you're breaking inside," she explained. 'When both those calls go to the same person — that's dosti." She is clear about that particular group of people in her life. 'I think my real friends are still the ones from Chandigarh. They've been around for 8 to 12 years now." Her circle in Bombay is smaller, more intimate. 'The ones I'm close to here — those friendships are about ten years old too. And slowly, slowly, even in the industry, I'm building a few real bonds. It takes time, but it's worth it." Meanwhile, Wamiqa blink-and-miss appearance in Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal recently trended big on social media. Taking to social media, she wrote a letter to her younger self. Addressed as 'Dear Younger Wamiqa", she penned, 'You were always a dreamer and a hard working one ! As a kid on that Love Aaj Kal set – you were not just a junior artist enjoying the work that came your way because your Daddaa believed in you, but you believed in yourself too…. You were nervous, excited, soaking it all in on that set. You have only continued to work harder without worrying about whats coming next!" She continued, 'Cut to 16 years later, The song from the same film is playing and the same love for the camera still lives on, but this time, it's your story ! Every time I hear Chor Bazaari, it hits a little different now ! You've gone from being in one fleeting frame as a toddler with a mooch and a massa, to finding your own space in the spotlight. It's wild how life can throw such beautiful moments to cherish, especially when you least expect it!" 'You didn't dream small and you never stop chasing the best because TITLI wouldn't have happened if you had gotten lost on the way and I am so glad you didn't ! Always be humble, grateful and never stop believing in MAGIC!", she concluded.
News18
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Wamiqa Gabbi Says She Only Did ‘83' To Visit London Before Quitting Bollywood: 'I Wanted To...'
Last Updated: Wamiqa Gabbi opens up about nearly quitting Bollywood in 2019 before a role in '83 reignited her love for acting. Wamiqa Gabbi is finally reaping the rewards of years of hard work, with her latest film Bhool Chuk Maaf, co-starring Rajkummar Rao, striking a chord with audiences. But few know that the 31-year-old actor—who has shared screen space with some of India's biggest stars—once considered quitting Bollywood altogether. During a recent promotional interview for Bhool Chuk Maaf with director Karan Sharma and co-star Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa opened up about her early days in cinema and the challenges that nearly led her to walk away from it all. 'I was full of dreams back then," she said, reflecting on her start as a background artist in Imtiaz Ali's films. 'I was maybe in 7th grade, and that's when I shot Jab We Met (2007). My initial learnings of how to be on set came from my experience there. I used to observe the notes Imtiaz Sir used to give, and I'm glad that I was around him, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan." She recalled a touching memory from the sets of Love Aaj Kal, where the team surprised her on her birthday. 'Imtiaz Sir had called me for Love Aaj Kal through e-mail. During the shoot, my birthday came along, and they ordered a cake on set. And I was a background artist, so everyone celebrating my birthday was a big moment for me." But as time passed and the industry became her full-time profession, Wamiqa began to feel lost. By 2019, despite working on multiple projects, she was facing a creative crisis. 'In 2019 I was doing a couple of films, and I wasn't enjoying myself or learning anything," she admitted. 'I was also not in touch with my art back then. Because of that, I wanted to quit the profession." That was when she was offered a small role in Kabir Khan's '83. While she was initially hesitant, Wamiqa eventually took the part—but not for the reasons one might expect. 'Although I wasn't open to small roles, I said yes because I thought it was a good chance to visit London and to get some clarity regarding what I wanted to do." It turned out to be a turning point. 'Although I wasn't expecting much, being on the set of '83 reminded me why I fell in love with acting in the first place." The film, which featured Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Hardy Sandhu, Ammy Virk, Pankaj Tripathi, and others, helped Wamiqa re-discover her love for the craft. From that moment on, she charted a new trajectory for herself in the industry. Since '83, Wamiqa has delivered acclaimed performances in web series such as Jubilee and Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of the Solang Valley, and films including Khufiya (2023), Tabaah (2024), and Baby John (2024). Now, with Bhool Chuk Maaf (2025), she stands as one of the most promising talents of her generation. First Published:
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Wamiqa Gabbi was ready to quit Bollywood, said yes to Ranveer Singh's 83 as she wanted to ‘visit London'
Actor Wamiqa Gabbi's career seems to be taking off at a decent pace, as the actor is currently bearing the fruits of her recent release Bhool Chuk Maaf with Rajkummar Rao. The 31-year-old has acted alongside some of the biggest stars in the industry and has been involved with acting since the age of 13. Despite all that, the actor recently admitted that at one point in her career she had made up her mind about quitting Bollywood, and how a small role in the Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone starrer '83 made her realise her love for acting. While promoting Bhool Chuk Maaf with Rajkummar Rao and director Karan Sharma, the actor shared many stories from her days as a background artist on the sets of Imtiaz Ali movies and how she learnt loads about how a film gets made just by observing him and the actors. 'I was full of dreams back then. I was maybe in 7th grade, and that's when I shot Jab We Met (2007). My initial learnings of how to be on set came from my experience there. I used to observe the notes Imtiaz Sir used to give, and I'm glad that I was around him, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan.' ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan left quietly after I told him 'nas kaat lungi', recalls Wamiqa Gabbi: 'There was pin-drop silence on the sets of Baby John' She also shared a story from the sets of Love Aaj Kal and how Imtiaz and the entire crew surprised her with an incredible gesture on her birthday. 'Imtiaz Sir had called me for Love Aaj Kal through e-mail. During the shoot, my birthday came along, and they ordered a cake on set, and I was a background artist, so everyone celebrating my birthday was a big moment for me.' After talking about her experiences as a background artist and her learnings from that time, Wamiqa admitted that everything stalled around 2019, and she felt that her skill as an actor was not growing anymore. She said, 'In 2019 I was doing a couple of films, and I wasn't enjoying myself or learning anything. I was also not in touch with my art back then. Because of that I wanted to quit the profession, and that's when I got offered '83. Although I wasn't open to small roles, I said yes because I thought it was a good chance to visit London, and to get some clarity regarding what I wanted to do.' '83 was directed by Kabir Khan and the cast of the film included Ranveer, Deepika, Wamiqa, Hardy Sandhu, Ammy Virk, Saqib Saleem, Pankaj Tripathi and Tahir Raj Bhasin. While Wamiqa did play a small role in the film, it pushed her back towards the industry. Since then she has played integral roles in several TV series, including Jubilee (2023) and Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of the Solang Valley (2023). Her film roles post '83 include Khufiya (2023), Tabaah (2024), Baby John (2024), and of course Bhool Chuk Maaf (2025).
