Huma Qureshi, the fearless face of SonyLIV’s political drama Maharani, is making waves not only for her commanding screen presence but also for her bold commentary on the glaring gender pay gap in the industry. In a candid recent interview, Huma voiced her frustration about male actors being paid significantly more for OTT shows, even when women like her are carrying entire franchises.
“Maharani is one of the most-watched shows in the country, yet I’m nowhere close to the kind of pay my male peers are earning—some of them reportedly pocketing ₹45 crore,” Huma revealed. Despite being the lead and the show’s emotional core, she admits that her compensation hasn’t reflected her contribution.
When asked why this disparity persists, Huma shrugged: “There’s never a clear explanation. It’s just the way it is. But it needs to change.” She praised the rise of meaningful roles on OTT platforms and the recognition of talent from actors like Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat, but warned that the content itself is beginning to feel repetitive: “We need innovation, otherwise we’ll lose what made this space exciting in the first place.”
Huma returns as Rani Bharti in Maharani Season 4, which continues to dig into Bihar’s gritty political past. The character, inspired by real-life political shifts, has become a symbol of strength and resilience, much like the actress herself, who refuses to stay silent on issues that matter.
