Aamir Khan's chartered accountant, Bimal Parekh, has recently made headlines by sharing his insights into the financial acumen, or lack thereof, among some of Bollywood's biggest stars. Speaking at the ABP Live summit, Parekh revealed that Aamir Khan himself doesn't focus much on money matters. Parekh stated that both Aamir Khan and his "PK" co-star, Ranbir Kapoor, are "surprisingly indifferent" when it comes to finances and that "They don't really understand money".
Parekh’s comments came after Aamir Khan disclosed that he didn't earn any money from his film "Laal Singh Chaddha" due to its underperformance at the box office. This was a result of Aamir's "no-fees policy," a strategy that Parekh himself had initially suggested. Parekh explained that he pioneered the "full backend profit-sharing model" for Aamir Khan. This meant that Aamir took no upfront fee, but instead shared in the profits if the film was successful. This approach was designed to ease the financial burden on producers and ensure that the studio still had the opportunity to make money, even if Aamir's earnings were minimal. While "Laal Singh Chaddha" didn't yield profits for Aamir, Parekh clarified that Aamir did earn significantly from "Dangal" using this same model. Aamir had told Parekh that he charged less than many of his contemporaries because he didn't want producers to suffer financially. Parekh then proposed the idea of forgoing an upfront fee entirely and instead opting for a share of the profits.
In contrast to Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, Parekh singled out Katrina Kaif as being particularly "sharp and attentive" when it comes to financial details. While he didn't elaborate on specific instances, his statement suggests that Kaif takes a keen interest in managing her finances and understanding the intricacies of her financial dealings. Parekh also mentioned producer Ritesh Sidhwani and director Krishna DK (of the Raj-DK duo) as examples of individuals in the industry who are financially savvy and well-informed.
Parekh's revelations provide an interesting glimpse into the financial habits of Bollywood celebrities. It appears that while some stars are deeply involved in managing their money, others prefer to focus on their craft and leave the financial details to trusted advisors. Aamir Khan's willingness to forgo upfront fees in favor of profit-sharing demonstrates a commitment to supporting producers and aligning his interests with the success of the film. Meanwhile, Katrina Kaif's financial acumen suggests a proactive approach to managing her wealth and ensuring her long-term financial security.