Wants to cut pay: Saif on Karan Johar’s ‘stars can’t guarantee hits’ remark

Actor-producer Saif Ali Khan addressed director and producer Karan Johar’s “stars can’t guarantee hits” comment at India Today Mumbai Conclave 2024. Joking that Karan was talking about cutting pay cheques, the actor explained that many producers pay huge amounts when stars demand it. However, he also noted that stars charging astronomical amounts and not delivering can not last for long in the industry.
When India Today’s Rahul Kanwal spoke about Karan Johar’s comment on how stars charge Rs 40 crore for a film but cannot even guarantee Rs 3.5 crore at the box office, Saif Ali Khan laughed and said, “He wants to cut pay cheques. I think I should have my own union on that. I am sure he is right, but it makes me a little nervous when we hear about cutting pay cheques. No cutting pay cheques.”
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He further added, “Well look, the economics of our industry (is like that). That’s what happens – you go to a star, sometimes they say ‘hey, if you want me, that’s what it is going to cost’. And people pay it. And if people pay it, then sometimes the economics do get skewed. But, Indians are businessmen. So the film industry is primarily a business kind of financial centre in itself and people take shots. But, Karan Johar knows best. I’m just joking.”
Saif Ali Khan also explained at the conclave, “What he (Karan Johar) is talking about is people charging astronomical money and then not delivering, which can’t last. We don’t charge that much, we are recession-proof.”
On the work front, Saif is all set to make his Telugu debut with Devara: Part 1, where he plays the character of Bhairava. It will be hitting the theatres on September 27.