Pay gap between male & female actors justified: Mandy

Actor Mandy Takhar, once prioritized a Punjabi film over a Bollywood film from a leading producer. “I had been offered two Hindi films, including Pyar Ka Punchnama,” says Mandy speaking to us in Chandigarh recently, “But, at that same time I was offered Diljit's

Sardaar Ji

, and I had to choose between the two. Of course I chose Sardaar Ji! While the second movie was offered to me from the Bhatt camp. I even met the Bhatts, who are very nice people. But, it wasn't the kind of film that I would like to see myself in. I am focused on only Punjabi films right now."

Working on her next project with Harbhajan Mann, mandy is excited. "My dad used to make me watch his films, and tell me that this is our heritage, which we should not forget. We are three sisters, and my father always wanted us to respect our roots, and not become westernized.” She quips, “If I were living in Punjab since the beginning, I would be called Mandeep, not Mandy!”

Speaking on the current scenario of the state of Punjab, Mandy shows concern. "There are no employments, no good education, so where would a person go? Maybe that's why most of them are going abroad. Drug addiction is also a major problem in Punjab. But India as a whole is suffering, look at the rapes happening at such alarming rates. It is heartbreaking.”

The conversation veers towards gender disparity in Punjabi film industry. “Yes, pay gap between male and female actors exists. In fact, I still live off my parents’ money. Yet, I think it is justified. Most of the actors in Punjabi films are singers who leave their stage shows and work in a film for a definite period of time. They earn a lot from the stage shows, leaving them for a film. Films have to compensate for their time. While women are only full-time actors."

Faguni Verma