Karan Johar: new actors who are yet to prove themselves demand Rs 20-30 crore for no reason

Filmmaker Karan Johar says he is 'fed up' with the constant increase in actors' fees, especially among the newer generation of actors.

Speaking to The Film Companion, Karan added, he was more exasperated that these fee hikes took place during the pandemic as well, where the actors gave excuses of their previous films not working, or they haven’t had a release.

Karan Johar said that their managements have fed them information about digital releases, and recovery. He called them ‘beyond deluded’. Karan Johar and Zoya Akhtar also expressed their displeasure in the remuneration of the technicians and actors.

Reema Kagti, who was present as well, explained why it was difficult to cut the budget sometimes as well, and why it was difficult to have such conversations with actors, who don’t seem to understand the dilemmas. KJo went on to say that it is understandable to strike deals with megastars who bring in business, but he is baffled with the demands of the younger generations.

He said, “There is a younger order that is yet to prove their muscle at the box office. They’re asking for Rs 20 or 30 crores. For no reason. Then you want to show a report card to them and say, that hello, this is what your film opened to.”

Asked how a production house like Dharma Productions cannot refuse actors, he answered that it is possible to strike a better deal than other houses, but it wasn’t fair. “I would rather pay top dollar to members of the technical crew, who actually make the film special.” He wonders why he pays some actors 15 crores, and an editor Rs 55 lakhs.

In the past few years, Karan Johar has launched several star-kids, including Alia Bhatt in 2012, Ananya Panday in 2019 and Janhvi Kapoor in 2018. He is all set to launch Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya as well. Karan Johar will return to directing with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, which stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. He also has the historical drama Takht, lined up.

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