Actor Tillotama Shome recently opened up about an incident from the early days of her acting career that left a deep impression on her. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Shome got emotional as she shared how a director once told her that she would never earn much in the film industry, something she proved wrong years later.
Tillotama Shome Opens Up About Hurtful Comment by Director
Shome remembered a particular wrap party where she was speaking to the director and others from the team. During a casual conversation, someone asked her what she really wanted to have. “It was in stark contrast to a director I once worked with who 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 shared.
She continued by explaining how the director reacted, “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 how discouraging the moment was, Shome didn’t let it define her path. She went on to land a dream project that was not just creatively satisfying but also financially rewarding. “Then came my next film, which was everything I could dream of creatively. I knew I’d never get a role that good again, but I still negotiated for four months. I fought for the money, and eventually, I got paid double the amount I’d mentioned at that party,” she said.
When her contract for that film was finalised, she made sure to inform the same director who had once doubted her. “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.’”
Shome earlier shared her thoughts with SheThePeople about what it means to be a woman navigating the film industry. When asked about her experience, she reflected on the broader challenges that come with being in a male-dominated space.
She said, "It’s been just as difficult for you as it has been for any woman working in a male-dominated industry. But I believe this is part of an evolutionary shift toward greater awareness. Over the past 50 years, women have entered workplaces they were once excluded from. The pace of our progress has far outstripped the evolutionary rate of men who were always allowed to work.”
Shome opened up about the impact of generational progress on her own life. She explained how the efforts of women before her gave her the opportunities she has today. "So, we must continue to push ourselves, excel, and do our best to move forward from the struggles of the previous generations who fought for our freedoms. My own grandmother couldn’t complete her education, but my mother could. Because of her, I had the opportunity to pursue higher education," she said.
As an artist and public figure, Shome believes it’s important to be conscious of the roles she plays and the kind of woman she wants to be. "Now, it’s my responsibility to reflect on the kind of woman I want to be and the roles I want to portray as I take the torch forward," she shared.
Take a look at the conversation here.
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“I Fought For It—And I Got Paid Double:” How Tillotama Shome Got It Right
Actor Tillotama Shome recently got emotional as she shared how a director once told her that she would never earn much in the film industry, something she proved wrong years later.
Tillotama Shome/ IG
Actor Tillotama Shome recently opened up about an incident from the early days of her acting career that left a deep impression on her. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Shome got emotional as she shared how a director once told her that she would never earn much in the film industry, something she proved wrong years later.
Tillotama Shome Opens Up About Hurtful Comment by Director
Shome remembered a particular wrap party where she was speaking to the director and others from the team. During a casual conversation, someone asked her what she really wanted to have. “It was in stark contrast to a director I once worked with who 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 shared.
She continued by explaining how the director reacted, “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 how discouraging the moment was, Shome didn’t let it define her path. She went on to land a dream project that was not just creatively satisfying but also financially rewarding. “Then came my next film, which was everything I could dream of creatively. I knew I’d never get a role that good again, but I still negotiated for four months. I fought for the money, and eventually, I got paid double the amount I’d mentioned at that party,” she said.
When her contract for that film was finalised, she made sure to inform the same director who had once doubted her. “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.’”
Shome earlier shared her thoughts with SheThePeople about what it means to be a woman navigating the film industry. When asked about her experience, she reflected on the broader challenges that come with being in a male-dominated space.
She said, "It’s been just as difficult for you as it has been for any woman working in a male-dominated industry. But I believe this is part of an evolutionary shift toward greater awareness. Over the past 50 years, women have entered workplaces they were once excluded from. The pace of our progress has far outstripped the evolutionary rate of men who were always allowed to work.”
Shome opened up about the impact of generational progress on her own life. She explained how the efforts of women before her gave her the opportunities she has today. "So, we must continue to push ourselves, excel, and do our best to move forward from the struggles of the previous generations who fought for our freedoms. My own grandmother couldn’t complete her education, but my mother could. Because of her, I had the opportunity to pursue higher education," she said.
As an artist and public figure, Shome believes it’s important to be conscious of the roles she plays and the kind of woman she wants to be. "Now, it’s my responsibility to reflect on the kind of woman I want to be and the roles I want to portray as I take the torch forward," she shared.
Take a look at the conversation here.