Television star Sonarika Bhadoria has spoken out about gender-based pay disparities within the entertainment industry, describing an incident where demanding better compensation on a high-performing production resulted in her sudden ouster. The actress highlighted the contrasting treatment meted out to leading male performers compared to female cast members under identical circumstances.
High Ratings Met With Dismissal
Reflecting on an assignment that lasted around twelve months, Sonarika recalled how the serial witnessed a major turnaround in its television rating points. The surge in viewership was substantial enough that the broadcasting network hosted a celebratory party to reward the cast and crew for their joint success.
With audience engagement running high, Bhadoria felt that an upward revision of her fee was a standard professional expectation. However, when she approached the decision-makers to discuss financial adjustments, she faced sharp resistance, with executives questioning the foundation of her request rather than recognising her contribution.
Ratings were high enough that the network threw a celebration.
Disparity in Retaining Talent
The situation became starker when compared against how the project handled its male lead. According to Sonarika, when her co-star threatened to walk away from the set, management quickly stepped in to appease him by multiplying his earnings threefold.
Insight into this dramatic financial gap came from a crew member inside the production unit. Instead of granting parity or even an incremental bump, the production quietly finalized another performer to take over her role, dismissing Bhadoria without prior dialogue or transparent notice.
Career Trajectory and Family Milestones
Bhadoria began her professional journey on the small screen back in 2011 with the drama 'Tum Dena Saath Mera'. Her career gained massive momentum when she was cast as Goddess Parvati alongside Mohit Raina's portrayal of Lord Shiva in 'Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev', winning wide acclaim among viewers nationwide.
On the personal front, after nine years of dating, she tied the knot with partner Vikas Parashar on 18 February 2024. The couple subsequently expanded their family with the birth of their daughter, Virika Parashar, on 5 December 2025.
