A video of actor Kirti Kulhari is going viral on the internet, sparking a debate. In the video, she is seen talking about the salary expectations of her househelp, triggering backlash online. The clip attracted criticism from several users, who expressed that the amount mentioned by the worker was reasonable. While some even argued that it was, in fact, on the lower side.
Kriti Kulhari`s remarks on househelp
During an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Kirti said, “I was discussing this with my manager as well. Abhi maine naya ghar shift kiya hai, Yaari Road mein, and… the rates we got from the cook and the maid, I was like, `How do these rates make sense?` (I was discussing this with my manager too. I`ve recently shifted to a new house in Yaari Road, and the rates we were quoted by the cook and the maid – I was like, `How do these rates even make sense?`)”
When asked how much she was charged approximately, Kirti answered, “I don`t know, like, for two hours of work, which is jhadu, pocha, bartan. I wanted ki jitna do ghante mein ho sakta hai – dusting, kapde, jo ho sakta hai – woh sab aap karenge ghar ka. She was charging me Rs 10,000. (I don`t know, like, for two hours of work – which includes sweeping, mopping, and doing the dishes – I wanted that whatever could possibly be done within those two hours, like dusting, laundry, and other household chores, would all be taken care of).”
Further expressing her frustration, the Uri actress added, “I was like, tum do ghante aa rahi ho aur tum apne hisaab se jitna kaam hota hai kar rahi ho… and then you are charging me Rs 10,000 for what? At that point, we were like, kya humaari shakal dekh ke aisa ho raha hai ki, inke paas toh honge, thoda sa aur maang hi lete hain (I was like, you`re coming in for two hours and only doing as much work as you feel like… and then you`re charging me Rs 10,000 for what? At that point, we were thinking, `Are they looking at us and assuming we must have money, so they might as well ask for more?`)”
Mini Mathur and other netizens react
As the clip circulated widely on social media, many users criticised Kirti’s remarks. Several pointed out that Rs 10,000 a month is not too much for domestic work in Mumbai, especially considering the physical labour involved. Actor and television host Mini Mathur also reacted to the video while defending the value of domestic labour. She wrote, “Think of how much her 2 hours enable us to earn in 2 hours. This is below minimum wage anywhere else in the world.”
Comedian Vivek Samtani also wrote, “That is barely USD 2 per hour, and that is too much? Wow.” Another user wrote, “Bro, that’s normal in Mumbai,” while another commented, “10,000 a month sounds reasonable to me idk what’s her deal.”
While another questioned the actor and wrote, “So how much do you charge for 2 hours of your craft?” One comment even read, “I empathise with her priorities, but this does sound rather out of touch with any Mumbaikar`s lived reality. 10k is basic and ought to be paid with gratitude and respect.”