Filmmaker Karan Johar is calling for a shift in how actors are paid, especially as many films featuring big stars are failing at the box office. During a recent directors’ roundtable hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India, Johar discussed the urgent need for actors to reconsider their hefty paychecks.
In the roundtable, Johar shared that he had to make changes to his usual practices. He revealed that he has stopped paying inflated fees to male actors. Zoya Akhtar, also part of the discussion, agreed and said “You have to stop paying. That’s it,” she said.
Karan Johar On How Actors Demanded High Fees For His Recent Hit Kill
Johar explained that he’s now opting to work with newcomers. He highlighted his latest production, Kill, where the film’s concept required a fresh face.
A-list actors were reportedly demanding fees that matched the entire budget. “When the budget is Rs 40 crore, and you’re asking for Rs 40 crore, how can I pay you?” Johar questioned. He made it clear that there’s no guarantee that a film will succeed just because a big star is in it.
Filmmaker Says Only A Few Male Stars Have Great BO Pull
The conversation also touched on the overall issue of the decreasing influence of male stars in Hindi cinema. Johar mentioned that, despite the need for over 200 films to be produced annually, only six male stars have the pull to draw in audiences. This limited pool of leading men has created a challenging environment for filmmakers.
Moreover, the current budget structures often favour these male stars, leaving little for the technical crew. Zoya pointed out that male actors’ salaries consume about 70% of a film’s budget. This imbalance is something that needs to be addressed, as it can hinder a film’s overall quality and success.
In a previous podcast, Johar discussed the unsustainable economics of the industry. He noted that stars demanding Rs 40 crore in fees are sometimes opening their films to only Rs 3.5 crore at the box office. This situation creates a challenging landscape for producers.
Johar’s recent production, Kill, is a case in point. Starring newcomer Lakshya and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the film is a high-concept action thriller made on a limited budget. Despite not relying on established stars, Kill managed to receive critical acclaim and commercial success. This success demonstrates that the industry can thrive without the star-driven formula that has dominated for so long.
(Also read: Karan Johar Celebrates Gender Equality On Daughter’s Day With Yash And Roohi: “We all wear pink! We all wear blue!”)
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