Karan Johar, one of the most influential filmmakers in Hindi cinema, recently disclosed that he has decided to stop paying exorbitant fees to male actors. This revelation comes amidst growing concerns over the disproportionate remunerations being demanded by male stars, especially given their recent poor performances at the box office. Johar’s statements came during a director’s roundtable hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India, where peers like Zoya Akhtar, Mahesh Narayan, Vetri Maaran, and Pa Ranjith were also in attendance.
The issue of high fees has been a hot topic of late, with top male stars receiving massive paychecks despite failing to deliver hits. Zoya Akhtar, another eminent filmmaker, intervened during the roundtable to bluntly tell Johar, “You have to just stop paying. You have to stop paying. That’s it.” Johar, who leads Dharma Productions, responded by confirming that he has already taken steps to cease paying inflated fees to male actors.
Elaborating on his decision, Karan Johar recounted his experiences with his recent project “Kill.” “What is your last couple of films? How much have you opened to? With what right are you asking me for this number?” Johar questioned rhetorically. He explained that he had invested in “Kill” because it was a high-concept film with a newcomer as its lead. Despite being an action-packed, concept-driven film, Johar faced stars who demanded fees equivalent to the entire budget of ₹40 crore. “I was like, ‘How can I pay you? When the budget is ₹40 crore, you’re asking for ₹40 crore? Are you guaranteeing the film will do ₹120 crore? There’s no guarantee, right?” he questioned. Ultimately, Johar chose a newer face—Lakshya, an outsider for the lead role, effectively reducing costs.
“Kill” was made on a relatively modest budget of ₹40 crore and was backed by producers Guneet Monga and Karan Johar. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat directed the movie, which saw Lakshya taking on the lead while Raghav Juyal played a pivotal role. The choice of casting newcomers instead of established stars not only kept the budget in check but also opened doors for emerging talent.
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During the roundtable, Johar emphasized that the Hindi film industry relies heavily on just six viable male actors for its major projects. With over 200 films produced each year, he argued that producers should consider redistributing the budget to empower new actors. Johar criticized some younger male stars who demand extravagant fees of ₹40 crore but are unwilling to take risks with unconventional roles.
Zoya Akhtar added further weight to the conversation by highlighting the staggering 70 percent chunk of the budget often consumed by male stars’ fees. She argued for better compensation for the technical crew, emphasizing that the filmmaking process involves many behind-the-scenes professionals who are equally vital to a movie’s success.
The gravity of the situation becomes more apparent when examining the business logic. If a film’s budget is consumed almost entirely by an actor’s fee, it leaves little room for other crucial aspects like special effects, marketing, and post-production work. This imbalance not only affects the overall quality of the film but also places an unfair financial burden on producers. With stars consuming a lion’s share of the budget, other critical areas suffer, leading to subpar final products.
Moreover, the shift also has implications for the broader industry. By capitalizing on high concepts and newer faces, the industry can democratize opportunities and perhaps even create a new generation of bankable stars. It’s a move that has the potential to recalibrate the business dynamics of Hindi cinema, creating a more sustainable model for the future.
In closing, Karan Johar’s bold decision represents a turning point in Hindi cinema. By ceasing to pay inflated star fees, he’s setting a precedent that could lead to more judicious budget allocations and a healthier industry ecosystem. The move is likely to spark a broader conversation about remuneration and resource distribution, crucial steps towards evolving the industry’s financial model to be more equitable and foresighted. Alongside supportive peers like Zoya Akhtar, Johar’s efforts might just pave the way for a more balanced and inclusive future for Indian cinema.
