Imran Khan exposes Bollywood’s budget-driven casting, reveals A-Listers' massive fees

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Actor Imran Khan has sparked fresh conversation about Bollywood’s casting process and superstar pay scales, sharing candid insights on why big-budget films favour big names and how much leading stars reportedly earn per movie. The Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos actor spoke about industry economics during his recent podcast conversation with Samdish, shedding light on what he described as a budget-driven casting culture and the astronomical fees commanded by A-list performers.

Imran explained that casting decisions in the Hindi film industry often prioritise financial calculus over artistic fit. He recalled how he was cast in Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola after Ajay Devgn exited the project — not because he was the perfect choice for the role, but because his presence helped secure the necessary budget for the film. He said, “The approach to casting is all based on budget, even now. It has nothing to do with the actor. Nobody cares whether you’re the right actor for the role. They’re just thinking, ‘How much money can I get with him?’ That’s how I ended up being cast in Matru. On my back, they could get an X amount of money.”

On the subject of actor remuneration, Imran didn’t hold back. He stated that in contemporary theatrical cinema, an “A-lister” doesn’t earn less than ₹30 crore per film, citing names like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor as examples of performers in that bracket. Imran added that he would be surprised if any of these leading actors earned below that threshold, underscoring the growing wage gap within the industry.

“If you’re an A-lister in theatrical films today, you’re not earning less than ₹30 crore per film. Anyone my age — Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor — they are not earning less than ₹30 crore. I would be surprised if any of them are earning less than that” Imran said.

Imran also questioned this skewed pay structure, suggesting that the vast disparities between lead stars’ pay and that of other cast and crew members may eventually seem unsustainable or unreasonable given the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

Also read: Imran Khan makes long-awaited comeback with Aamir Khan and Vir Das’s Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos

The discussion comes as Imran prepares to return to screens in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, releasing 16 January 2026, alongside co-stars like Vir Das, Mithila Palkar, and Sharib Hashmi; the film also features a special appearance by Aamir Khan.