Renowned film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur has opened up about one of Bollywood’s biggest challenges — the rapidly increasing fees of top stars — and offered a practical solution: focus on storytelling rather than celebrity.
In a recent conversation on the Film Companion’s Game Changers series, the Roy Kapur Films founder spoke candidly about how the economics of filmmaking are being strained by soaring actor remunerations. According to Kapur, the only way forward is to “make films that are not dependent on stars” and build sustainable projects where the content, not the cast, drives the audience to theatres.
“The only way we can tackle the rising cost of talent is by making films that don’t rely solely on them. We need to create content that attracts viewers because of its story and creativity — not because of who’s on the poster,” Kapur explained.
“Hollywood Did It — and So Can We”
Kapur drew parallels between the current state of Bollywood and Hollywood in the 1990s, when skyrocketing star fees from icons like Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, and Tom Hanks forced studios to shift their approach.
“If you look at Hollywood, when actors started charging $20 million a film, the studios didn’t just ask them to reduce their price. They created franchises and IPs that weren’t dependent on stars. That’s how we got Harry Potter, Marvel, The Lord of the Rings, and so many others,” Kapur said.
He suggested that India could take a similar route — by developing its own franchises, cinematic universes, and strong content-driven films that can live beyond a single actor’s fame.
“Audiences Don’t Need Stars — They Need Good Stories”
The veteran producer emphasized that today’s audience is far more discerning than ever before. Thanks to streaming platforms and global exposure, viewers now prioritize content over celebrity.
“The audience is clearly telling us — give us a good story, and we’ll show up. We don’t necessarily need a big star to believe in a film,” he said.
Kapur backed up his point by citing several successful Indian films that thrived without A-list names. “We’ve seen it time and again — The Kerala Story, 12th Fail, Article 15, and even Lapataa Ladies — none of these depended on big stars. Their success came purely from storytelling and execution,” he noted.
On the flip side, he cautioned that even star-heavy projects can collapse if the story isn’t strong enough, referencing recent box office disappointments that struggled despite having major actors attached.
“Not Every Film Needs a Superstar”
Kapur made it clear that he’s not against stars or their value in the business — but insists that the balance needs to be restored.
“You must make films with stars — but not all films need them. Some stories demand that presence, but others don’t. When you force a star into a film just for safety, you inflate costs and often dilute the narrative,” he explained.
He also pointed out that over-reliance on stars can lead to an unhealthy creative culture. “If every decision starts with who’s starring in the film rather than what the story is, we’re already moving in the wrong direction,” Kapur said.
Building the Future of Bollywood
As one of the most respected producers in Indian cinema, Siddharth Roy Kapur has been behind both blockbuster hits and content-driven gems — from Dangal and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani to Rocket Boys and Pippa. His balanced understanding of art and commerce gives weight to his words.
He concluded with a hopeful message:
“We have to build a film culture that values stories as much as stars. If we can make audiences fall in love with stories again, we’ll make films that are both creatively fulfilling and financially viable.”
Kapur’s remarks have sparked renewed discussion in the industry, where many filmmakers agree it’s time for Bollywood to evolve beyond its long-standing dependence on big names — and focus on sustainable storytelling for the future.
