Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani Rules Out Working with Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan Over Expensive Budgets

Bollywood is a world where big names often dominate the industry, and collaborations with superstars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are seen as career-defining moments for filmmakers. However, renowned filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, known for films like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Batla House, has openly ruled out working with these two Bollywood giants—not due to personal differences, but because of their expensive budgets.

In an industry where films often depend on the star power of actors, Nikkhil Advani’s decision to step away from big-budget projects with these superstars raises an interesting debate—is Bollywood shifting towards content-driven films instead of just star power?

Why Nikkhil Advani Won’t Work with Salman and Shah Rukh?

In a recent interview, Nikkhil Advani made it clear that he won’t be directing a film featuring either Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan, simply because their films require enormous budgets that don’t align with his filmmaking vision.

Advani, who has successfully transitioned into making content-driven films, believes that lavish budgets and larger-than-life productions are not his style. Instead, he prefers storytelling that focuses on realism, strong narratives, and powerful performances—something that doesn’t necessarily require an over-the-top budget.

His decision highlights a growing divide in Bollywood—the contrast between big-budget commercial cinema led by superstars and the rise of smaller, story-driven films that prioritize substance over spectacle.

Why Big Budgets Are a Challenge

The budgets for a Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan film are astronomically high. Their salaries alone take up a significant portion of the budget, leaving little room for creative storytelling.

Here’s why filmmakers like Nikkhil Advani are reconsidering such projects:

High Actor Fees Leave Less Room for Creativity

Bollywood’s biggest stars demand huge paychecks, which automatically inflates the budget. Reports suggest that Salman Khan charges between ₹100-150 crore per film, while Shah Rukh Khan’s fees vary depending on his involvement as a producer or lead actor.

For a filmmaker like Advani, who prefers realistic storytelling, such enormous fees leave less room for investing in strong scripts, visual storytelling, or even ensemble casts.

Box Office Risks Are Higher Than Ever

While Bollywood has witnessed mega-hits like Pathaan and Tiger 3 in recent years, it has also seen several big-budget failures. Films that relied solely on star power but lacked compelling narratives have flopped, proving that audiences now expect strong content.

A filmmaker like Nikkhil Advani, who values quality over spectacle, would rather invest in smaller, meaningful films that have a guaranteed audience rather than taking risks on multi-crore productions.

The Changing Audience Preferences

Gone are the days when fans rushed to theaters simply because a big star was in the film. With the rise of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar, audiences have access to diverse content from across the world.

This shift means that even Bollywood needs to adapt—big stars alone cannot guarantee a blockbuster anymore. Filmmakers like Advani recognize this and prefer to work on stories that connect with modern audiences rather than depending on A-list actors to draw crowds.

Nikkhil Advani’s Filmmaking Vision

Advani’s filmography shows that he has never been someone who blindly follows Bollywood’s star-driven model. While he has worked with big names like Shah Rukh Khan in Kal Ho Naa Ho, his recent projects reflect a shift towards gripping storytelling rather than extravagant productions.

His Recent Films and Web Shows: 

Instead of chasing superstar-led blockbusters, Advani has focused on projects that highlight realism, emotions, and engaging narratives:

• Batla House (2019) – A gripping film starring John Abraham based on the controversial Batla House encounter.
• Mumbai Diaries (2021, 2023) – A critically acclaimed web series based on the 2008 Mumbai attacks, showcasing the struggles of doctors, journalists, and police officers.
• Rocket Boys (2022-2023) – A compelling web series about India’s space program, featuring Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh.

These projects clearly indicate that Advani is more inclined towards impactful storytelling rather than commercial blockbusters.

Will Bollywood Move Beyond Star-Driven Films?

Nikkhil Advani’s decision to stay away from big-budget Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan projects reflects a larger trend in Bollywood. The film industry is at a turning point, where content-driven cinema is slowly replacing traditional star-led blockbusters.

Here are a few reasons why Bollywood is shifting in this direction:

The Success of Mid-Budget, Content-Rich Films

Several recent films have proven that audiences are willing to support good storytelling over just star power. Examples include:

• Drishyam 2 (2022) – A suspenseful thriller that became a box office success despite lacking a superstar-led marketing campaign.
• The Kashmir Files (2022) – A hard-hitting film that outperformed even some of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters.
• Sita Ramam (2022) – A South Indian film that found nationwide appreciation despite having no A-list Bollywood actors.

Filmmakers are now realizing that they don’t need a massive budget to make a hit film—they just need a compelling story.

The Power of OTT Platforms

Streaming platforms have changed the game. People are now exposed to international content, from Korean dramas to Spanish thrillers, and they expect Bollywood to match those storytelling standards.

Instead of investing in massive star fees, filmmakers are focusing on well-written scripts that can attract a global audience.

Expensive Films Don’t Always Work Anymore

Big-budget failures like Samrat Prithviraj (2022) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) have proven that audiences won’t support a film just because a superstar is in it. If the story doesn’t work, neither will the film.

Nikkhil Advani’s decision to stay away from Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan’s films could be a strategic move to avoid financial risks while focusing on quality storytelling.

Conclusion

Nikkhil Advani’s choice to not work with Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan due to high budgets is not just a personal decision—it reflects the changing landscape of Bollywood.

With audiences becoming more selective and OTT platforms offering fresh, innovative content, the industry is moving towards smaller, well-crafted films instead of just relying on superstars and expensive productions.

While Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan will always remain Bollywood’s biggest icons, their films now need strong content to back up their star power.