Karan Johar, renowned filmmaker and producer, has spoken out about the ongoing crisis in Bollywood, highlighting the disparity between actors’ salaries and box office performance. In a candid conversation with journalist Faye D’Souza, Johar emphasized that the industry’s syntax has not adapted to changing audience preferences, leading to a mismatch between film production and box office success.
Johar pointed out that top actors demand high fees, around Rs 35 crore, but their films often open to meager box office collections, around Rs 3.5 crore. He stressed that this math doesn’t add up, making it challenging for filmmakers to manage expenses, including actor salaries, production costs, and marketing. Despite this, filmmakers must continue producing content to sustain their organizations.
The director also noted that the industry is plagued by herd mentality, with filmmakers chasing trends rather than conviction. He believes that audiences crave rooted Indian cinema and pure entertainment, without alienating smaller towns and cities. Johar’s latest production, ‘Kill’, is currently in theaters, and he hopes the industry will adapt to changing times and find a new syntax for success.”