Madhavan says he’d have ‘enough money to feed generations’ if he was still earning money from 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti, says that’s why Shah Rukh Khan became a producer

Actor R Madhavan spoke about the concept of residuals being entirely absent in Bollywood, and explained that Hollywood stars continue to earn from their films for years and years.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | Updated: September 28, 2025 09:10 AM IST

4 min read

R Madhavan with Kareena Kapoor at a promotional event for 3 Idiots. (Express Archive)

R Madhavan rued the absence of residuals in the Hindi film industry, and said that a feeling of insecurity in actors leads to them being risk-averse. He said that in Hollywood, it is because stars continue to earn money for past work, they are empowered to take bigger risks. He said that if a similar model existed in India, he would have enough money to feed generations from just three hits — 3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti, and Tanu Weds Manu.

Asked if it was wise of Shah Rukh Khan to turn producer very early in his career in order to ensure that he maximises profits from his film, Madhavan said in an interview with Akshaye Rathi that one cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. He said that the ‘upper echelon’ of movie stars can do this, but those that belong to the lower strata of the film industry do not have the same financial security. “If you’re commanding double-digit salaries, the rules that apply to them are different, simply because they have secured their future,” he said.

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Madhavan said that stars become accustomed to a certain lifestyle, but very few understand that they mustn’t spend above their means. “Their (A-list stars’) salaries are such that they can afford to life this lifestyle for the rest of their lives. If I was a Hollywood actor, and I had the number of hits that I’ve had in my life, do you think that there would be a second thought before I jumped into (a risky project)? I would jump into it in an instant, because I knew that my future generations are taken care of with just three blockbusters.”

Madhavan continued, “But when you know that there is no pension, but you’ve built a lifestyle that you need to maintain, then you start thinking ‘paise toh lelo, pata nahi kal milega ke nahi milega’. The judiciary has to support the contracts that we sign. “Madhavan suggested that faulty payments are a norm in the industry, but nobody bothers to challenge them because they don’t have the time or resources. He added, “The moment residuals are possible, I’m sure everybody would like to jump in because then you can do the kind of work that you want.”

Madhavan said that if he were a Hollywood star, he’d still be raking in money for some of his hits. “There’s a famous story that Mr Amrish Puri is still getting residuals for the Steven Spielberg movie that he did. If I was a Hollywood actor, two or three films would be enough – maybe 3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti, and Tanu Weds Manu – to feed the rest of my generations if they live sensibly.”

Residuals are like royalties, which are paid out to every person who has worked on a film or show whenever that film or show earns revenue, either on television, streaming, or other distribution avenues. Previously, in an interview with Cyrus Broacha, actor Adil Hussain revealed how much he continues to make thanks to a guest role in the show Star Trek: Discovery. “It was a three-episode guest appearance. They paid me little money, but the good thing is that I keep getting residuals every two months. If they are earning money, I earn money, 1%. So every three or four months, I get $5000 or $6000 (around Rs 5 lakh). Crazy, no?”

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