Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Huma Qureshi on Gatekeeping and Unfair Pay in the Film Industry
Imagine the movie industry is like a big playground.
Some kids always get the best toys, and Huma Qureshi, a movie star, is saying it's not fair.
She feels like she has to fight harder just to get the same allowance as the boys, especially when it comes to pay.
Sometimes, even when she asks for what's fair, she doesn't get it.
She also notices that movies with girls doing action scenes don't get as much money to make as movies with boys doing action, and then people say the girls' movies aren't as popular.
Huma thinks that's not a fair way to judge.
She wants everyone, especially the grown-ups in charge, to make sure everyone gets paid the same for doing the same kind of work.
She sees things getting a little better, but still thinks more needs to be done to make it fair for everyone.
Huma Qureshi speaks out about gatekeeping and pay inequality in the film industry.
She expressed frustration over having to negotiate for equal pay, stating it shouldn't be a fight.
Qureshi criticized the industry's justification for pay disparity by comparing budgets of male and female action films.
She argued that a fair comparison of film success requires starting from the same budget line.
The actress urged for greater accountability from male industry figures to achieve pay equality.
- Who
- Actress Huma Qureshi
- What
- Criticized the film industry for gatekeeping, unfair pay practices, and budget disparities between male and female-led action films.
- When
- Recent comments
- Where
- The film industry
- Why
- To advocate for equal pay and challenge justifications for pay gaps.
Huma Qureshi's Stance
Industry Practices
Equal Pay Negotiations
Huma Qureshi's Stance
Huma believes she shouldn't have to fight for equal pay and that pushing back in negotiations has sometimes been detrimental.
Industry Practices
Industry practices involve negotiations where female actors' pushback may not translate to desired outcomes, contributing to pay disparity.
Justification for Pay Disparity
Huma Qureshi's Stance
Huma criticizes the industry's justification that female action films don't work, pointing out the vast difference in budgets compared to male action films.
Industry Practices
The industry argues that female action films are less successful, without adequately considering the difference in production budgets as a factor.
Accountability for Change
Huma Qureshi's Stance
Huma urges male actors, producers, and executives to be held accountable for advancing pay equality.
Industry Practices
While acknowledging some positive shifts, the industry has not yet reached a point where accountability for pay disparity is consistently enforced.
- Actress
- Huma Qureshi
- Key Issue
- Pay disparity and gatekeeping in the film industry
- Actor's Argument
- Female action films have lower budgets than male counterparts, making comparisons of success unfair.
- Call to Action
- Male actors, producers, and executives should be held accountable for pay equality.