Aamir Khan, while explaining the economics of his films, said he hasn’t taken any fee in 20 years. He says this way he is not only able to create stories he loves but also ensure that cinema remains the ultimate winner.
With voices constantly being raised about star salaries and the entourage of superstars in Indian cinema, it seems that the profit-sharing model for stars is a viable option to ensure the sustainability of the industry.
Interestingly, actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan, who is known for his business acumen and understanding of both the art and commerce of cinema, joined this bandwagon much earlier. Speaking at an ABP Live event, Aamir spoke about why cinema has to work with the salaries of stars to keep them the ultimate winners.
Talking about how he can do films like Taare Zameen Par despite being a superstar, Aamir explained that some people did not know why someone would watch a film on dyslexia. “But I loved the film and I cried a lot. I wanted to make this film.
The best thing in my favour is that I don’t put my fees on the budget of the film. See, my films can be made in Rs 10-20 crore and my films make so much money anyway,” Aamir said, further explaining how he earns a salary through a profit-sharing model.
“Since I earn money through a profit-sharing model, it is almost like the old way artists earn money. They perform on the streets and wear a reversed hat and charge money from the audience.
If they like it, they can pay whatever they want and if they don’t like it, they leave. Similarly, if my film works, I earn and if the film doesn’t work, I don’t earn,” said Aamir, who revealed that he has been following this model for over 20 years.
“I don’t take a salary…” Citing the example of 3 Idiots, Aamir said, “Many of you watched the film, recommended it to your friends and family, watched it again and made sure that the film made a lot of money.
So, I also get a share of those profits. Basically, my earnings completely depend on the film being appreciated and getting an audience.” More than the financial burden being taken off the producers, Aamir said the profit-sharing model has another important aspect that tilts things in its favour. “See, by working on this model, I get the freedom to do the films I like.
There is no burden of costs, and no need to jump up the budget, and then there is no hullabaloo and stress to get back the money that was deposited. We just need to earn Rs 15-20 crore that went into making the film.”
Aamir, who last played a full-length role in Advait Chandan’s 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha, has been on a break since the release and the disappointing response the film received.
However, he is set to work again in 2025 with an interesting lineup. First up, he is working with RS Prasanna in Sitare Zameen Par, and is reportedly playing a cameo in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s much-awaited Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie.
