'I Fought For Money': Tillotama Shome Breaks Down As She Recalls Director Telling Her She'd Never Be Paid The Amount She Aspired To Earn

Actress Tillotama Shome recently opened up about being undervalued despite her talent and also about the harsh realities of the film industry. In one of her interviews, the actress shared a disheartening experience from her past where a director blatantly told her she would never be paid the amount she aspired to earn, simply because of how the industry operates.

During an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India, Tillotama said, "A director I once worked with paid me very low. At the wrap party, we were all talking when someone asked me, 'What would be something that you really are lusting for?' I mentioned a particular car that cost a certain amount, and said, 'If I do a film where I’m paid this much, I could buy that car'."

She added, "The director then said, ‘I’m so sorry to break this to you, but you’re never going to earn that kind of money. It’s unfair, but that’s how this industry is. You’re very talented, but unfortunately, you’ll never make that much.’ He said it in a tone that felt like he meant well, but it stayed with me."

Despite the demoralising remark, Tillotama said she didn’t let it dictate her path. Instead, she used it as fuel to fight for her worth. She revealed that for her next project, which she described as the best part she’s ever received, she negotiated her fee persistently for four months, insisting on being paid double the amount she once dreamed of.

"I won’t name the film. But, it was everything I wanted, creatively. But I fought for the money because it had to be double the amount I told the director and eventually, I got paid," she said.

What made the victory sweeter was how she chose to respond to the earlier dismissal. "When the contract was finalised, I messaged that director and said, ‘By the way, I just closed a deal and was paid this much. Thought you should know before you tell another actor what they can or can’t do.’ It was very important to me," she added.

Tillotama is known for her critically acclaimed performances in projects like Sir, The Night Manager, Monsoon Wedding, Delhi Crime, Lust Stories 2 and Qissa. She was last seen in the second season of Paatal Lok.