In a candid conversation on Komal Nahta’s YouTube podcast Game Changers: The Producers Series, filmmaker Karan Johar shared his unfiltered thoughts on the growing culture of star entourages and revealed an interesting wish for his children, Roohi and Yash. The Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director admitted that he doesn’t want his kids to become actors but instead to pursue a different profession within the industry.
Karan says make-up artists earn more
Talking about the rising entourage cost in the industry, Johar observed, “Don’t even get me started on the charges that makeup and hair artists take today. In fact, I would want Roohi and Yash to become makeup and hair artists because they are earning more money than other people. Ek hair kare aur dusra makeup (one should do the hair and the other should do makeup) — it will be very beneficial for both of them,” he said with a laugh.
On entourage costs of actors
The My Name Is Khan director went on to elaborate on how the cost of a star’s team often becomes a production issue. “I’m like, humara budget yeh hai because we are business people. If you want more people, you give them then. If you are doing a sports biopic or a biographical drama where your body is on display all the time on screen, then the producer will pay for it. But if you are a regular hero, your job is to look good. If you want to eat healthy food, you eat it — but why should I pay for it?”
Calling for balance and self-responsibility among stars, Karan added, “For some actors, we are setting budgets — if you want to go beyond that, then do it. There are many actors who are paying additions on their own. I think if you are getting a big fee and backend, then do these on your own and show some grace. 6-8 log kyun karte hain travel aapke saath (why do you need 6–8 people to travel with you)?”
Karan`s work front
He last directed the film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani which was released in 2023. The filmmaker appeared on the Netflix show The Ba***ds of Bollywood which marked the directorial debut of Shah Rukh Khan`s son Aryan Khan. Apart from that, Karan Johar`s production Homebound has been selected as India`s official entry for the Oscars.
