John Abraham has voiced his concerns over the struggling state of the film industry, pointing to the excessive fees demanded by actors and the additional costs of their entourages as major issues. Reflecting on the dire financial situation, the Satyameva Jayate star remarked that the industry is “bleeding” and suggested that actors should consider pay cuts and work from the backend to help sustain filmmaking.
In an interview, John addressed the ongoing crisis, saying, “It’s already hurting Hindi cinema.” He further elaborated, “At this point of time, we shouldn’t be paying people to act in films because we don’t justify those huge budgets. The huge fees that we get paid, and we can’t load a film with entourage costs as well. It’s ridiculous. Don’t know if actors are thinking this way or is it their agent making them think differently. I understand you are put in a bubble, but you can’t be so daft. You need to see the real world. If people are blowing sunshine from your backside, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. As an industry, we are really suffering.”
The actor also highlighted the extravagant expenses associated with film production, particularly the rising costs of personal styling. He found it absurd that stylists charge as much as ₹2 lakh per day, calling it “mental.” According to him, such expenses contribute to the industry’s inability to generate profits. He emphasized the need for actors to reassess their worth and acknowledge financial realities. “First thing to make amends is by cutting your personal cost. When a director tells you that you aren’t worth that much, you need to take that in cognizance. We don’t have that thought yet. We compare ourselves to other actors, and we want to broadcast our fees, and that’s the worst thing to do,” he explained.
Expressing deep concern for the industry’s future, John warned that actors are slipping into a “deep black hole” and need to take corrective measures. He urged them to focus on the backend of filmmaking rather than simply profiting upfront. Advocating for a performance-based payment model, he suggested that actors’ earnings should be tied to a film’s box office success. “How much more will you suck the system dry?” he questioned, emphasizing the urgency for change.
On the professional front, John Abraham was last seen in Vedaa, alongside Sharvari. He will next appear in Housefull 5, continuing his diverse lineup of projects.
