Kamal Haasan has written an open letter to the Indian film industry calling for a rethink of how films are budgeted. Posting on Instagram, the veteran actor pointed to a “growing disconnect between spending and purpose,” noting that rising fuel, energy and transport costs are pushing production budgets higher, and argued that the industry needs to focus on sustainability rather than avoidable waste.
Protecting workers first
Haasan was clear that any cost-cutting should not come at the expense of the people who keep productions running. Workers’ wages, safety, dignity and food, he said, are non-negotiable, and accommodation and transport for crew should remain a priority — “the burden cannot fall on those who labour the hardest.” The real source of financial strain, in his view, is unnecessary spending such as oversized entourages and poor planning.
Confidence in Indian locations
He also questioned the industry’s habit of shooting in expensive foreign locations, asking why every romance has to bloom in Paris or end in Switzerland, and remarking that “romance, fortunately, does not require foreign exchange.” He urged more confidence in India’s own settings, along with practical steps like reusing set materials and conserving energy in studios.
A call for an industry summit
Haasan proposed an industry-wide meeting on sustainable working practices, inviting actors, directors, producers, unions, studios and OTT platforms to take part. Cautioning that “extravagance has often been mistaken for scale,” he said many of the finest films were made with clarity rather than excess, and that those who have benefited most from the industry should lead by example.
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