Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 5, 2018)

The debate on gender-based pay disparity in Bollywood has been on for a while. But 2018 seems to have started on a good note for female actors. Apparently, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has demanded Rs 10 crore for her next film, Raat Aur Din (1967) remake. "Since Aishwarya has a double role, the film will require extensive preparation. It will be a time-consuming project, which means she will have to let go of the other films that come her way. The fee she has quoted is fair. The producers have agreed to the amount without any negotiation," a source tells mid-day.

The film will see the Jodhaa Akbar actor step into Sanjay Dutt's mother, late Nargis Dutt's shoes. The source adds, "The makers have discussed the tribute film with Sanjay. Since Aishwarya has wrapped up her parts for Fanne Khan, she will start prepping for the film  soon. Though trade insiders  are squirming at the possibility of a 44-year-old female actor walking home with a fat pay cheque, producer Prernaa Arora believes that Ash is putting a  lot at stake for her film, and the fee is warranted."