3 min readNew DelhiApr 1, 2026 11:00 PM IST In a light but striking moment, Kareena Kapoor Khan said something many women have felt for years. Sitting across from her Good Newwz co-star Akshay Kumar, she smiled and said in an interview during the film’s promotions, “I just want to get paid what Akshay Kumar gets.” Her tone may have been playful, but the message was loud and clear. It wasn’t just about her or Bollywood, but something that rings true across boardrooms, offices, and film sets everywhere. Too often, women work just as hard, showing up with just as much experience and commitment, but walking away with less. Less money. Less credit. Less recognition. Executive coach Sridhar Laxman, who’s worked with thousands of professionals through Lucid Minds Coaching, says he hears this all the time. “She got the promotion, but not the pay.” Or, “I was told to be patient.” Sometimes it’s, “I don’t want to seem ungrateful.” These aren’t isolated stories—they’re patterns. Over time, these patterns shape how women see themselves. Many begin …