Shraddha Kapoor Commands Higher Fees Than Top Actresses, Says Father
The economics of Bollywood stardom are shifting. A new pattern is emerging where an actress’s box office power is not solely measured by the number of films she does each year, but by the premium fee she can command for each project. This trend is highlighted by veteran actor Shakti Kapoor’s recent comments about his daughter, actress Shraddha Kapoor.
Shakti Kapoor stated that Shraddha is highly selective about her roles. He explained that she does fewer films than many of her contemporaries. However, he claimed that for each film she signs, she charges a higher fee than top stars like Alia Bhatt and Ananya Panday. This revelation provides a rare look into the financial strategies of modern film stars.
Selectivity Over Volume in a Hit-Driven Industry
Shraddha Kapoor’s recent blockbuster, ‘Stree 2’, was one of the biggest hits of 2024. Despite this massive success, she has not announced a flurry of new projects. Her father attributes this to her deliberate and careful approach to her career. In an industry where constant visibility is often seen as key, Shraddha’s strategy is different.
She focuses on choosing scripts that resonate with her. This selectivity, according to her father, allows her to negotiate from a position of strength. After a major hit like ‘Stree 2’, her market value increases significantly. By not overcommitting, she can demand a higher salary for the projects she does accept. This model prioritizes quality and financial reward over sheer quantity.
The Price of Stardom: Comparing Actress Fees
The comparison to Alia Bhatt and Ananya Panday is particularly striking. Alia Bhatt is widely considered one of the most successful and bankable actresses of her generation, with multiple critical and commercial hits. Ananya Panday is a prominent young star with a consistent lineup of films. The suggestion that Shraddha’s per-film fee surpasses theirs underscores a changing dynamic.
It suggests that an actress’s leverage is not just about annual earnings or total film count. It is about the specific value attached to a single project. An actress who guarantees audience draw but is selective can create high demand for her limited time. This can drive her asking price above even the most consistently working stars.
Strong Ethics and a Stubborn Streak
Shakti Kapoor did not just credit a business strategy for his daughter’s choices. He also pointed to her personality. He described Shraddha as having strong ethics and a stubborn nature. In the context of Bollywood, this likely means she has clear boundaries about the roles she will play and the working conditions she expects.
This stubbornness, as her father calls it, may be a professional asset. It could prevent her from being pressured into projects that do not align with her vision or worth. In an industry known for its demands, an actress with the conviction to say no can maintain greater control over her career trajectory and her price.
What This Means for Bollywood’s Future
This model of high-fee, low-output stardom could influence how other actors manage their careers. It demonstrates that strategic gaps between films, if followed by major successes, can enhance an actor’s monetary value per project. It shifts the focus from being constantly present to being a major event.
For producers and studios, it means securing top talent may require larger upfront investments for fewer films. The gamble is that the star’s selective appeal will translate into box office gold. As audiences become more discerning, a star associated with quality and hit films like Shraddha Kapoor may prove to be a worthwhile investment, even at a premium price.
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