Aamir Khan says he hasn’t charged salary for his films in 20 years, takes share in profits: ‘My films get made in Rs 10-20 cr, aren’t burdened by my fees’

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“Since I earn money in the profit-share model, it is almost like the old way of artists earning money. They would perform on the roads, and collect money from the onlookers by going around with an upturned hat. If they like it, they can give whatever they deem fit, and if they don’t like it, they can walk away. Similarly, if my film runs, I earn, and if the film doesn’t run, I don’t earn,” said Aamir, who revealed that he has been following this model for over 20 years now. “I don’t take salary…”

Giving an example of 3 Idiots, Aamir said, “So many of you saw the film, recommended it to your friends and family, rewatched it, and ensured the film earned a lot of money. So, I too got a share from those profits. Basically, my earnings is solely dependent on the film getting appreciated and finding its audience.”

More than the economic burden being lifted off the makers, Aamir said that the profit-sharing model has one other important aspect tilting things in its favour. “See, by operating on this model, I get the freedom to do the films I want to do. There is no cost load, and the budgets don’t have to spike, and then there is no clamour and tension to regain the money pooled in. We just need to make the Rs 15-20 crores that went into the making of the film.”

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Aamir, who last starred in a full-length role in the 2022 Advait Chandan film, Laal Singh Chaddha, has been on a sabbatical since the release and the dismal reaction to the film. However, he is set to get back on to the saddle in 2025 with an interesting lineup. Firstly, he is working with RS Prasanna in Sitaare Zameen Par, and is reportedly playing a cameo in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s much-awaited Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie.