Bollywood Writer Kausar Munir Says ‘If I Have Big Hits, I Can Demand A Better Pay’

Kausar Munir started as a junior writer for the Hindi adaptation of the American comedy Ugly Betty (titled Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin). She has come a long way since her debut in 2003 and has written some of the most popular Hindi songs that came out over the past few months. She has written lyrics for recent hits such as Qala, Jubilee and Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. She is also the dialogue-writer for the second season of the Sony LIV web series Rocket Boys.

In this exclusive interview, the Bollywood lyricist and writer talks about the way women are treated in the industry and how women in-front of the camera have a lot more to struggle than those working behind the camera.

Talking about women’s experience in the film and television industry in India, Munir says, “The women in performing arts – actors and singers – have it tougher. Not to say we don’t have it tough, but they have it tougher. Their job is to put themselves out there, and as the kind of society and with the miscontrued concepts that we have, that is considered as being all sorts of wrong and negative. There is a thin line – women behind the camera do not have it easy either but those in front of the camera have it tougher.”

She adds, “(I am glad that) now I see many more women in the room than they were earlier, whether as directors or singers, or in the recording room. We are a handful of women lyricists in the industry, so my success matters to those five or six more women who may wish to enter the industry as writers. It is not a sea change, just a wave, but I am happy if I am that smallest of waves.”

Asked about changes in the remuneration that women get in the industry since she started working, Munir insists that the change is mostly about the attitude and process. She adds that the process has become more streamlined. “Just by the virtue of things being more streamlined, you are approached in a more professional way. Earlier it was adhoc. In some ways, this business is very disorganised. But, now it is easier with the professional set-up and alleys that you can go through.”

However, she adds that the gender pay parity is really bad for actors, while the payment is mostly performance-based for those behind the camera. “It is very different for actors. The pay parity is really bad while for people like me, there may be no equality, but that is not man-woman thing. It is a success thing. If I have big hits, I can demand a better pay compared to those who do not have such hits to their credits.”

“Behind the scenes, it is about your box office success. If you are selling more, you can ask for more. It is comforting, that is some sort of even-playing filed. But my heart goes out to the female performers. They are so instrumental to the box office success, yet they are nowhere close to the male counterparts (in respect of the remuneration).”

Talking about the importance of a better gender ratio in the workforce, Munir says, “The women producers and directors have, of course, played a huge role (in imporving the situation of women). If women are in leadership positions, immediately women have a larger voice and more space at the table. For example, a large part of my work is writing lyrics. I just wrote an item song which a prostitute sings in the show. Now, if a prostitute is singing, she won’t sing a hymn. I did not have to be conscious or anything, the song just ended up being a song about consent.” Munir has written all the songs of the Prime Video web series Jubilee. She was talking about the song Babuji Bhole Bhale.

Munir was talking on the sidelines of Women Achiever Awards held in Delhi (India) organised by Gunjan Foundation and Aalekh Foundation. Speaking about the event, founder of Aalekh Foundation Dr. Rennie Joyy says,“The decision to organize the award was also motivated by the fact that India is currently holding the Presidency of the G20. We are thrilled to have hosted such an incredible event, honoring women who have achieved excellence in their fields. The Women Achiever Awards is a celebration of women’s success and an inspiration for the next generation of leaders and change-makers.”