Imran Khan lifts the lid on A-listers’ massive fees and Bollywood’s budget politics

Actor Imran Khan has set the entertainment world buzzing with his frank comments on how money power dictates casting choices in Bollywood. Speaking candidly in a recent conversation, Imran opened up about the massive fees commanded by top stars such as Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh , and how those numbers often end up shaping a film long before the camera starts rolling.

According to Imran, leading A-listers today charge upwards of Rs 30 crore per film, a figure that automatically determines a project’s scale and creative direction. He explained that once such a large sum is locked in for a single actor, producers are forced to cut corners elsewhere, whether in casting, production value or even the story itself. As a result, casting decisions frequently revolve around market value rather than whether an actor is the right fit for a character.

Imran also reflected on his own career to underline the point. Recalling films like Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola , he revealed that he was not always the first choice for certain roles and that his casting was sometimes driven by the budget he could help secure rather than purely by creative intent. He added that this approach has become increasingly common, with star power often outweighing performance or suitability.

The actor went on to highlight the stark pay gap within the industry, noting that while top stars take home enormous sums, supporting actors and technicians rarely see comparable growth in their earnings. He hinted that such disparities could make the system unsustainable in the long run, especially at a time when audiences are demanding stronger content over star-driven spectacles.

Imran also spoke about his own journey, sharing that his fees rose steadily after the success of Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na , eventually peaking at around Rs 12 crore . That phase, he said, changed his understanding of success and money, and also gave him a clearer view of how deeply economics influences creative choices in Hindi cinema.

As Imran prepares for his acting comeback with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos , his unfiltered remarks have reignited discussions around Bollywood’s obsession with star fees and box office maths. For many, his comments offer a rare insider glimpse into how budgets, not just scripts, decide who lands the lead role.