At the WAVES Summit 2025, Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda set off an intense debate by addressing the Brad Pitt Hollywood pay gap controversy. His public remarks drew widespread attention and sparked strong reactions from content creators and audiences online, highlighting issues of perceived inequality in the global film industry.
Vijay Deverakonda, known for his roles in films such as Yevade Subramanyam, Arjun Reddy, Geetha Govindam, and Liger, has often spoken about the challenges faced by actors outside Hollywood. During the summit, he expressed concern over how dominance of the English language in media benefits Hollywood actors, impacting earnings and recognition for artists from other regions like himself.
His statements focused on the skewed financial landscape between Hollywood and other film industries. Deverakonda compared his own situation with that of renowned American actor Brad Pitt, questioning the underlying reasons for the stark difference in compensation and global reach.
If I do a film and Brad Pitt does a film, he’ll be paid a hundred times more, not because he’s better, but because more people speak and consume content in his language.
– Vijay Deverakonda, Actor
This direct comparison, using Brad Pitt as an example, emphasized that the disparity is influenced more by language and consumption than by talent. Deverakonda further pointed out that this discrepancy is not Brad Pitt‘s fault, but rather a consequence of long-standing trends that elevate English-language productions.
Mixed Reactions and Online Criticism Mount Over Deverakonda’s Statements
Deverakonda’s remarks quickly circulated across social media and news platforms. The observations drew reactions not just from audiences but also from several content creators who vehemently disagreed with his viewpoint. Leading the charge was content creator Farhan Balaporia, who produced a video directly responding to Deverakonda’s perspective on Hollywood’s global dominance and its effects on the pay gap.
Farhan Balaporia used indirect references and puns, such as alluding to “Arjun” who is “not ready,” hinting at Deverakonda’s popular film Arjun Reddy. He also mentioned Liger, Deverakonda’s much-discussed Bollywood debut, to make clear his subject without direct naming. In his video, Balaporia attempted to offer a different angle by bringing up examples of foreign films made on lower budgets enjoying box-office success, contrary to Deverakonda’s assertion about language-driven market supremacy.
The video that got taken down is basically him saying that Hollywood has bigger budgets because more people speak English, so the actors get paid more, and therefore they’re more successful. My reaction was disagreeing with him, telling him that foreign films in different languages on low budgets have succeeded, whereas his own film with a high budget was unsuccessful.
– Farhan Balaporia, Content Creator
According to Balaporia, although Deverakonda’s logic pertains to the economics of language supremacy, he wanted to highlight that financial success and critical acclaim are not exclusive to English-language productions. Balaporia cited international films in other languages that have achieved notable box-office returns despite their modest budgets, displaying a broader, more inclusive understanding of the film business.
Allegations of Censorship as Video Critical of Vijay Deverakonda Is Removed
The situation took a dramatic turn when Balaporia announced that his response video was apparently taken down. He suggested, without direct evidence, that Deverakonda or his team may have played a role in its removal. The content creator disclosed that his critique was removed specifically because it contained a clip of the actor, and he doubted any re-upload would remain live for long, hinting at a pattern of intolerance toward criticism.
He’ll just take it down again if I re-upload it because there is a clip of him in the reel. Imagine being so insecure you can’t take criticism from a random guy on the internet.
– Farhan Balaporia, Content Creator
Balaporia portrayed Deverakonda as being particularly thin-skinned regarding public criticism. He expressed frustration at not being able to facilitate open debate on these important issues, emphasizing that his video was intended as a simple disagreement rather than a personal attack.
Other creators and commentators on social media also picked up the story, fueling a charged conversation about freedom of expression, fair use, and the limits personalities may place on discussion about their views. The incident drew more attention to broader questions of how public figures interact with digital creators and manage their online reputations, especially when controversial opinions are involved.
Industry Context: Language, Market Size, and Ongoing Inequities
The incident centered on Vijay Deverakonda and Brad Pitt draws attention to deeper structural issues within the global film industry. Hollywood‘s dominance in earnings and cultural influence is recognized by many, with some attributing it to the worldwide reach of English and extensive distribution networks. However, the assertion that these factors are solely responsible for higher compensation remains a topic of debate.
Actors and creators from Indian cinema and other international film markets have raised similar concerns in the past. The commercial performance of films such as Yevade Subramanyam, Geetha Govindam, or international crossovers like Liger can vary due to factors including language, marketing, audience preferences, and budget allocations. The discussion also touches on how films in regional languages can achieve critical or commercial success despite lacking Hollywood‘s magnified resources or reach.
The examples cited by Farhan Balaporia and the ongoing debates following Deverakonda’s remarks signal a continued friction point for creators from less-dominant industries who seek equitable recognition and pay on the global stage.
Looking Ahead: The Broader Impact of the Controversy
The Brad Pitt Hollywood pay gap controversy, intensified by Vijay Deverakonda‘s comments and the ensuing clash with online critics, underscores a troubled and uneasy relationship between talent, industry economics, and freedom of speech. It has spotlighted complex, unresolved questions about how visibility, language, and market forces drive disparities within the film industry.
Public reactions, including the sharp retorts from content creators such as Farhan Balaporia, reveal how quickly opinion and discourse around global entertainment can become polarized. The episode also raises the issue of digital censorship and the rights of creators to express dissent or offer differing views without facing takedowns or legal threats.
The situation is likely to fuel further debate at upcoming industry events and within creative circles, particularly as more actors from non-English speaking backgrounds gain international prominence. Whether meaningful change will follow—in film compensation practices, openness to criticism, or in bridging the gap between regional and global stardom—remains to be seen as the controversy continues to unfold.
