The success of Dhurandhar has not only boosted its box office numbers but has also reignited a larger debate in Bollywood — should actors be criticised for increasing their fees after a hit? Actor Akshaye Khanna has found himself at the centre of this discussion after reports claimed that he significantly revised his remuneration following the film’s success. Khanna reportedly charged around Rs 5 crore per project before Dhurandhar. Post the film’s success, his fee is said to have jumped to approximately Rs 18 crore.
Is Success Being Penalised?
Akshaye Khanna’s career has seen phases of critical acclaim as well as commercial lulls. After a period of relatively limited mainstream visibility, Dhurandhar marked a strong comeback, with audiences and critics praising his performance. In such a scenario, it is believed that a revised fee is less about opportunism and more about reclaiming market value.
In Bollywood, an actor’s fee is directly linked to box office pull, recent performance, and audience demand. When a film works, everyone — producers, distributors, and actors — benefits. Singling out one actor for renegotiating fees seems selective.
The Bobby Deol Comparison
Who remains undiscussed is Bobby Deol! His career witnessed a dramatic resurgence after the blockbuster success of Animal. Bobby Deol, who reportedly charged around Rs 1.5 crore per film earlier, is now said to be commanding fees close to Rs 12 crore. However, unlike Khanna, this increase has not come to anyone’s point of discussion.
This disparity has raised questions: why is one actor’s fee hike celebrated while another’s are scrutinised? It points out towards industry perception, public narratives, and even the ‘star kid’ debate as possible reasons behind the uneven reactions.
A Question of Fairness
At its core, the controversy highlights a broader issue within the film industry — who gets judged for success and who doesn’t. In a business driven by numbers, visibility, and performance, actors leveraging successful projects to negotiate better pay is standard practice.
As Bollywood continues to evolve, the conversation around pay parity, comebacks, and fair valuation remains far from settled. For now, Akshaye Khanna’s case serves as a reminder that success often comes with scrutiny — but whether that scrutiny is justified remains a matter of perspective.
