Subhash Ghai says actors of this generation prioritise money over art, recalls how actors took 40% fees in his films
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Subhash Ghai has directed some of the most successful films in the 1980s and 90s, including Khalnayak, Hero, Pardes and Taal. The filmmaker has now reacted to how actors today prioritise money over their craft. In an interview with Screen, the filmmaker spoke about the change that has taken place in the industry.
Adding to this, Filmmaker Subhash Ghai spoke about the changing business of cinema. (PTI Photo) (PTI11_26_2024_000410B) (PTI) What Subhash Ghai shared The director shared, “Commerce has taken over. Today, the children want to earn more money, and it’s less about the art. During our time, the actors wanted to be artistes, and thought money will eventually come. Nobody would wait for the money. They would sign a movie based on the director, the story and the character. Most of the stars in my movies have taken only 40 per cent of the price because they were interested in the character and the story.”
Meanwhile, He added, "Today, if you ask any star to take only 40 per cent fees, four of their managers will intervene, and 3 PRs will come in together to endorse the star as a star. Today, there are various other means of earning for actors rather than just movies. But again, they are seasonal; the craze dies down after 3-4 years. Then they are out of the picture, and somebody else walks in.”
Notably, On Koffee with Karan Season 9, even Salman Khan brought out this issue in the movie industry. Karan Johar highlighted the continued popularity of established Bollywood stars, noting that 2026 saw successful films featuring major names such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan. He noted that their ability to attract audiences shows that their generation remains relevant. Responding to Karan, Salman shared, “We (our generation) are interested in our work. We want to get out of our houses and do good work. Sometimes, it turns out right, sometimes it does not.”
As per the latest buzz, The star also spoke about the importance of having a clear creative vision while making a movie. He shared, “The films that we make are films that every Hindustani would be comfortable to see with the whole family.”
In further updates, Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and movie festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several movie festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent movie/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified movie critic. When not watching films or in conversation with celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One's Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and star culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupecha Read More
Source: Hindustan Times