Industry Veteran Imran Khan Decries Star Fee Inflation as Systemic Threat to Bollywood Viability

In a pointed critique of prevailing industry norms, actor Imran Khan has identified exorbitant star fees as a primary driver of unsustainable film budgets, calling for a fundamental recalibration of compensation structures. Speaking during his professional resurgence, Khan contends that the current model—where leading actors command massive upfront payments—places disproportionate financial risk on producers while disincentivizing artistic investment from performers themselves. He advocates for a performance-linked remuneration system, wherein actors share in a project's commercial success rather than guaranteeing personal profit irrespective of outcome. Citing the precedent set by his uncle, acclaimed actor-producer Aamir Khan—known for opting for backend participation over fixed fees—Khan underscores the potential for such approaches to align stakeholder interests and foster greater fiscal discipline. This analysis suggests that Khan's commentary reflects broader concerns about economic sustainability within the Indian film industry, where escalating production costs frequently outpace revenue growth. His remarks position him as an advocate for systemic reform, emphasizing collective accountability and financial pragmatism as essential to long-term creative and commercial resilience.