Bollywood Actors to Cut Fees as Movie Budgets See Significant Reductions

Bollywood stars reduce fees voluntarily, and producers rework film budgets to adapt to current economic realities.

The Bollywood film industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with stars voluntarily reducing their fees and producers reworking movie budgets to adapt to current economic realities. This voluntary move by some actors is unprecedented, showcasing a collective effort to stabilize the industry without pressure from production houses or studios.

Notably, the production budget of Shahid Kapoor’s highly anticipated film “Ashwatthama,” directed by Sachin Ravi and produced by Pooja Entertainment, has been slashed from ₹500 crores to ₹200 crores. Reports suggest that Shahid Kapoor himself has voluntarily suggested to reduce his remuneration, setting a notable example for his peers.

In another development, Prasanth Varma, known for directing “Hanuman,” had announced a new pan-India film starring Ranveer Singh titled “Rakshas.” Set in the pre-independence era with a mythological touch, this big-ticket entertainer began its first schedule in Hyderabad. However, due to the current economic climate, the project has been shelved, with the talent parting ways amicably.

Several other high-profile projects have also been affected. Tiger Shroff’s “Rambo” remake and “Ganapath,” Ranbir Kapoor’s Kishore Kumar biopic, and Sidharth Malhotra’s “Spyder” have all been shelved. Additionally, the budgets for Ranveer Singh’s “Shaktimaan” and his spy film directed by Aditya Dhar have been cut, alongside Suriya’s Bollywood epic “Karna.”

Also read: Tiger Shroff Faces Career Crisis After String of Flops; Advised to Slash Fees by 70%

These budgetary adjustments reflect the industry’s proactive measures to adapt to changing times. As the industry navigates these changes, there is hope that producers, studios, and actors will also focus on reworking content to meet audience expectations.