Story perspectives

Bollywood's Rising Costs: Stars Demand Millions, Producers Push Back

12/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

Bollywood's production costs rise due to extravagant star demands, with actor fees reaching up to $22.18 million per film, contributing to losses rather than creative failures.
Actors often arrive with entourages, inflating budgets without enhancing film quality.
Veteran producer Mukesh Bhatt and actor Aamir Khan criticize these excesses and urge a shift toward storytelling.
Some producers advocate a partnership model where all contributors share in a film's success or failure.

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Story summary

Bollywood's production costs rise due to extravagant star demands, with actor fees reaching up to $22.18 million per film, contributing to losses rather than creative failures.
Actors often arrive with entourages, inflating budgets without enhancing film quality.
Veteran producer Mukesh Bhatt and actor Aamir Khan criticize these excesses and urge a shift toward storytelling.
Some producers advocate a partnership model where all contributors share in a film's success or failure.