Imran Khan is gearing up for his return to cinemas with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. In a recent appearance on Samdish Bhatia’s podcast, the actor spoke about how casting decisions are often made in Hindi cinema and shared his thoughts on the remuneration commanded by today’s top stars.
During the conversation, Imran also opened up about one of his previous movies. Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola was originally set to feature Ajay Devgn but he was cast later. Ajay exited the project during its early stages and the role eventually went to Imran. But according to him, the decision had less to do with creative suitability and more to do with financial logistics.
He spoke about the film and shared his analysis on the casting. Imran noted that he was cast because he had given some hits back then and would have helped with the budget. He shared, “The approach to casting is all based on budget, even now. It has nothing to do with the actor. Nobody cares whether you’re the right actor for the role. They’re just thinking, ‘How much money can I get with him?’ That’s how I ended up being cast in Matru. On my back, they could get an X amount of money.”
The discussion then shifted to the earnings of leading stars in the industry today. When asked about the pay scale of A-list actors, Imran quipped, “If you are an A-lister in theatrical films today, you’re not earning less than ₹30 crore per film. Anyone my age, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, are not earning less than ₹30 crore. I would be surprised if any of them are earning less than that.”
He also raised concerns about the widening income disparity within film productions. He suggested that at a certain point, the numbers stop adding up. Imran noted that when one compares the lead actor’s remuneration to what the rest of the cast and crew earn collectively, it can feel disproportionate and difficult to justify.
On the work front, he will next be seen in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das and Kavi Shastri. The film is slated to hit theatres on January 16, 2026.
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