Aamir Khan, who has reshaped industry norms over the past 37 years, opened up about his career, failures, and unique approach to earnings at an ABP News event. As he gears up to turn 60 next month, the superstar reflected on his journey and the financial model he follows for his films.
When asked about how he continues to experiment with roles in an industry where many actors maintain a particular image, Aamir shared a surprising detail about his remuneration. “Pichle 20-21 saal se main fee nahi leta film karne ki. Toh agar aapko film pasand aati hai toh main kamata hoon, aur agar nahi, toh main bhi nahi kamata,” he revealed, explaining that for the past two decades, he has stopped charging a fixed fee as an actor. Instead, he earns only if the film performs well.
Discussing the economics of filmmaking, Aamir emphasized the importance of a movie recovering its production cost. He explained that a film typically needs to earn at least Rs 20-30 crore to cover its basic expenses. “If the production is mounted at Rs 200 crore and the star charges a hefty fee, how will the film recover its cost if it flops?” he questioned.

Aamir further elaborated that his approach is not new but follows the oldest model of earning for a performing artist, which is still prevalent in Europe. “Main oldest tareeka kamane ka follow karta hoon, isliye mujhe bohot freedom hai, toh main experiment kar paata hoon,” he added, emphasizing how this allows him to take creative risks and tackle challenging subjects in his films.

This unconventional strategy has given Aamir Khan the flexibility to explore diverse roles and make bold choices in Bollywood, setting him apart as an artist who prioritizes content over commercial gains.