Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 9, 2018)

While male superstars getting a share in a film’s profit is a common practice in Bollywood, the leading ladies couldn’t ask for the same. However, Priyanka Chopra has sought similar terms for her film — tentatively-titled The Sky Is Pink — with Shonali Bose, which she will co-produce. The baton is now being carried ahead by Kangana Ranaut. A source says, “Kangana has got into a profit-sharing deal with the makers of her next film, Mental Hai Kya (MHK). The National Award winner is known to take a keen interest in different aspects of the projects she is associated with. Also, she has always championed equal rights for heroines, and with this, she will set an example. Apparently, Kangana will henceforth ask for a share of profit in all her films.”

Ekta Kapoor and Shaailesh R Singh, who are bankrolling MHK, have reportedly agreed to the actress’ terms. A source from the team tells us, “When she brought this up with the producers, they were open to the idea. Kangana has established herself as a brand today and has shouldered a few films on her own. So, they felt that she deserves what she is asking for.” We reached out to the actress as well as the film’s representative, but they hadn’t responded to our queries till the time of going to press.

With PC and Kangana kicking off this trend, it remains to be seen if other leading ladies will make an attempt to take the same route.