Renowned filmmaker Shoojit Sircar has sounded an alarm on the growing trend of exorbitant actor fees in Bollywood, warning that if top stars don’t recalibrate their pay expectations, directors may simply stop casting them.

The ‘Piku’ and ‘October’ director criticised the industry's growing obsession with celebrity salaries and inflated entourage expenses. “If actors don’t reduce their fees, directors will stop approaching them,” he told ANI in a recent interview, adding that filmmaking should prioritise creative vision over star power.

Sircar explained that when directors are forced to cut corners to afford A-listers, it compromises the artistic quality of the film. “If a director imagines a particular shot, the budget should serve that vision—not be dictated by an actor’s paycheck,” he emphasised.

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Known for making content-rich films within modest budgets, Sircar and his producing partner Ronnie Lahiri have consistently avoided overspending. He shared that actors who work with him understand the trade-off: while the budgets may be limited, the process is driven by sincerity and artistic integrity.

Sircar also voiced concerns about creative stagnation in the Hindi film industry. He observed that many filmmakers are playing it safe, recycling familiar storylines instead of taking risks. “No matter the genre, we need to bring fresh, thought-provoking ideas to the forefront,” he said.

His latest film ‘I Want To Talk’, starring Abhishek Bachchan, struggled at the box office despite critical acclaim. However, Sircar noted that it is now finding its audience on OTT platforms.

With most recent theatrical releases underperforming—except for ‘Chhaava’ starring Vicky Kaushal—Sircar’s remarks underline a broader industry reckoning, where financial excess could come at the cost of creative survival.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Piku' to Re-release on May 9