While some producers and financers have already begun to sign up heroines with the revised fee structures, others are warming up to the trend. Jayantilal Gada, who produced Kahaani with Vidya is preparing to shell out more for the sequel, "Vidya has to command more now. She has her own audience," he justifies.

Acknowledging the trend, he says: "Quite a few women-oriented films have churned out higher returns than the male dominated ones. Actresses are well within their rights to command a higher share of the pie."

For many producers accepting the revised pay structure is also a way to keep their leading ladies in "good spirits." A leading producer (on request of anonymity) said, "A few extra crores will not make a dent in your wallet, considering how big budgets are these days. But they will go a long way to ensure that you get the top heroines to work with you happily."

And while the Rowdy Rathores of the world continue to push women away from the centre stage to the arm pits of the swashbuckling heroes, there is a large section of the ticket-buying audiences that flocks to the theatres to catch a glimpse of their favourite actress. Anand Vishal, Head of Operations at Fun Cinemas agrees. "After Heroine, Barfi and Kahaani, the scenario has changed. Kareena counted in Heroine, Priyanka made a big difference to Barfi, Deepika stole the show in Cocktail and Vidya led from the front in Kahaani. People want to see them just as they want to see a Salman in Ready or Dabanng."