As he gears up for his big-screen comeback with Happy Patel, Imran Khan has opened up about how Bollywood really works behind the scenes — from casting decisions driven by budgets to the massive pay cheques commanded by today’s top stars.
Speaking on Samdish’s podcast, the actor offered a candid take on the industry’s economics, naming Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor while discussing how much A-list actors earn per film.
“Casting Is About Budget, Not Fit”
Reflecting on his own career, Imran revealed that he was not the first choice for Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola. The role was initially meant for Ajay Devgn, but after Ajay exited during the prep stage, director Vishal Bhardwaj brought Imran on board.
According to Imran, the decision had little to do with creative suitability. He explained that casting often revolves around how much money a particular actor can help secure for a project, rather than whether they are the perfect fit for the role.
He described Bollywood’s casting mindset as largely financial, adding that producers tend to focus on the funding an actor can unlock instead of performance or character alignment.
₹30 Crore Is the Starting Point for A-Listers
When asked about actor fees today, Imran didn’t mince his words. He stated that any A-list star working in theatrical films today earns no less than ₹30 crore per project.
Naming his contemporaries, he said he would be genuinely surprised if actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, or Shahid Kapoor were paid below that figure. In his view, ₹30 crore has effectively become the baseline for leading men in big-ticket Hindi films.
Questioning the Pay Gap
Imran also touched upon the staggering disparity between what lead actors earn and what the rest of the cast and crew take home. He pointed out that when one person’s fee towers over everyone else involved in making a film, it eventually stops making sense.
While he didn’t single anyone out, his comments sparked discussion around sustainability, fairness, and whether such pay structures are viable in the long run.
Imran Khan’s Comeback Film
On the work front, Imran Khan is set to return to theatres with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das and Kavi Shastri. The film also stars Vir Das, Mithila Palkar, Sharib Hashmi, and Amit Bhandari, with Aamir Khan making a special appearance.
The film is scheduled to release on January 16, 2026, marking Imran’s first theatrical outing in years.
Final Words
Imran Khan’s comments peel back the glossy surface of Bollywood stardom, highlighting how deeply money influences casting and creative decisions. Whether one agrees or not, his remarks have reignited conversations about star fees, industry economics, and who really benefits when a film gets made.
