Kartik Aaryan, one of the industry’s top stars, believes a film’s mathematics should add up at the end of the day.
According to Chandu Champion actor-director Kartik Aaryan and Kabir Khan, there is and should be a healthy discussion around controlling a film’s budget. They believe the debate about rising star fees and overhead costs is moving in the right direction.
With the recent string of poor performances from big movies, there’s been significant chatter in Hindi cinema regarding the high remuneration demanded by some top stars, whose entourages also add to the producers’ costs.
“There are so many rights a film acquires upon release, providing an ‘x’ amount of money. If your star value and the project’s overall value generate profit for the entire team, the math adds up. If not, then a cut should be taken. It’s a healthy discussion,” Aaryan told PTI in an interview.
Khan, known for directing big-budget blockbusters like “Ek Tha Tiger” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” both starring Salman Khan, said this discussion has been prompted by the shift in industry dynamics after the pandemic. “It’s a healthy debate with positive responses from actors, directors, and producers. Post-COVID, audience viewing patterns changed, and their habit of going to theatres diminished. This led to a debate about alternative revenue avenues,” he said. “OTT platforms have become a significant revenue source. But whenever the industry faces tough times and recovery isn’t as expected, controlling budgets becomes necessary.”
Aaryan agreed, stating, “I feel the same way. In all my films, the mathematics has to add up. That’s the main point, as sir (Khan) was saying.”
Khan, whose last film was 2021’s multi-starrer sports drama “83,” emphasized the need for industry unity to control costs without compromising film quality. “No one wants to cut down on-screen expenses. The focus is on the significant staff fees. Even stars and actors are now stepping forward, agreeing to take a cut in fees for films that require a large budget,” he explained.
“No one insists on their full fee for smaller films because it ultimately affects the staff. This healthy discussion is happening industry-wide, and there’s a consensus that we all need to come together to ensure the business continues. Short-term gains shouldn’t harm the long-term health of the industry,” he added.
Aaryan, who has led successful films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Satyaprem Ki Katha in the past four years, emphasized that all stakeholders are working together to find better ways to support the industry.
“I don’t see actors, directors, or producers having any issues because it’s something that will benefit everyone. Post-COVID, audiences have become very particular about the kind of films they want to watch in theaters. There’s also a lot of content available on various platforms now.
“There are many ways to watch content, so we need to be smart about ensuring the entire ecosystem is beneficial for everyone—platforms, actors, directors, producers, and theaters. It’s not an ‘or’ but an ‘and.’ That’s our focus,” he said.
Chandu Champion, the upcoming film by Khan and Aaryan, tells the story of India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, Murlikant Petkar. The film follows his journey through different stages of life, including his roles as an Indian Army soldier, wrestler, boxer, 1965 war veteran, and swimmer.
Produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Kabir Khan Films, the Hindi film is set to release on June 14.