How Pay Inequality on ‘Oye! It’s Friday!’ Changed Varun Grover’s Career Path
Screenwriter, comedian, and lyricist Varun Grover recently reflected on a defining moment in his early career that pushed him away from television writing — a striking pay disparity that opened his eyes to the dynamics of the entertainment industry.
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Speaking in a candid interview, Varun Grover recounted his experience working on the Farhan Akhtar-hosted talk show Oye! It’s Friday! where he served as a writer. He revealed that while he earned ₹45,000 per episode for crafting the show’s comic material, the actor-host reportedly received a staggering ₹45 lakh per episode for delivering those very jokes — a 100x difference.
“Even though I had some idea that actors make a lot more, I didn’t expect the gap to be this big,” Grover said. “It was my material, and he was just delivering the lines. There wasn’t 100 times the value added.”
He also recalled the extravagance of the show’s set, which was shot at Mumbai’s Yash Raj Studios. “Some of the props on set cost as much as my entire fee per episode. Had I stolen one of those twinkling balls hanging there each day, my daily ₹45,000 would’ve been sorted,” he joked.
Varun Grover, known today for his sharp wit and socially conscious storytelling, said the incident became a turning point. “That was the first time I realised I didn’t want to write stand-up material for film stars anymore, especially when they weren’t contributing creatively to the script,” he said.
At the time, Grover had already built a name in TV comedy, having worked on shows like The Great Indian Comedy Show and Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun. But the disparity in recognition and reward made him question the value of his work in mainstream television.
In the years since, Grover has carved out a unique space in Indian cinema. His debut as a screenwriter came with Neeraj Ghaywan’s critically acclaimed Masaan (2015). More recently, he made his directorial debut with All India Rank, and has contributed to films like Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and Superboys of Malegaon — projects that reflect his commitment to substance over spectacle.
Varun Grover’s journey underscores the often-overlooked struggles of writers in the entertainment industry — a world where performers frequently outshine the creators behind the scenes.
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