Filmmaking is a collective effort in which everyone contributes. But actress Pooja Hegde recently revealed that she has faced gender discrimination on film sets. Pooja also revealed that many times she is not even given credit on the film poster. Pooja Hegde spoke openly on this issue in her recent conversation with Filmfare and told what has been her experience with gender discrimination, especially when she was working with big stars. Pooja said, "It happens in all industries, sometimes on a large scale and sometimes on a small scale. It's small things, like the male actor's vanity van is parked near the set, while we have to walk long distances with our lehengas and dresses. Sometimes I think, 'Yaar, we are also coming wearing heavy clothes, and we have to walk so far to reach the van.'"

Discussing gender discrimination, Pooja further said, "It's a complex gender discrimination. It may happen that your name is not on the poster of the film, or sometimes you are not even given credit, even if it is a love story. We should understand that filmmaking is a collective effort. I have worked with many big stars who have made it through decades of hard work, but there were times when I was made to feel second class on sets, where I was technically a big star." Speaking about her experience of working with big stars like Salman Khan and Prabhas, Pooja said, "Anushka Sharma is one actor who inspires me a lot. I like her because she made her mark in the industry without any godfather. I think we have some similarities. She doesn't like to go to parties, and neither do I. Thank god there is someone like me here."

Pooja further said, "I don't fight for petty issues like bigger hotel rooms or separate vanity vans. I want to fight for my co-stars' presence on the set, especially during emotional scenes. Because often body doubles are sent in their place. I want to fight for things that affect the quality of my work." Pooja also praised her male co-stars Vijay, Jr NTR, Allu Arjun and Surya, with whom she will be seen in her upcoming films.