Bollywood actor Imran Khan, who is preparing for his return to the big screen with Happy Patel, has offered a blunt take on how casting decisions are made in Bollywood, while also lifting the lid on the massive fees commanded by today’s top stars.
Speaking to Samdish on his podcast, the actor explained that casting in Hindi cinema is often driven by finances rather than whether an actor suits a role.
He revealed that Ajay Devgn was originally chosen for Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola, but when Devgn exited the project during preparation, director Vishal Bhardwaj brought Imran on board instead.
According to Imran, the decision had little to do with creative fit and everything to do with money.
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.”
The conversation then shifted to actor salaries, with Imran sharing eye-opening figures about what A-list stars earn today. He stated, “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 (Indian) crore. I would be surprised if any of them are earning less than that.”
Imran also questioned whether such pay structures are sustainable, pointing out the stark imbalance between what leading actors earn and what the rest of a film’s cast and crew receive.
He remarked that when one looks at the scale of that difference, there comes a point where one has to stop and think ‘hang on’, because it “won’t make sense” to pay a single individual such an outsized amount.
On the work front, Imran Khan will next appear in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das and Kavi Shastri.
The film also stars Vir Das, Amit Bhandari, Mithila Palkar, and Sharib Hashmi, with Aamir Khan making a special appearance. The movie is set for a theatrical release on January 16, 2026.