Aamir Khan Condemns Bollywood’s Corporate Booking Manipulation

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has taken a bold stance against the film industry’s widespread practice of corporate bookings, which artificially inflate box office collections and create false perceptions of a movie’s success. Speaking on trade expert Komal Nahta’s “Game Changers” podcast, the actor-producer emphasized his commitment to transparency in reporting his films’ actual performance.

Khan’s Honest Approach to Box Office Numbers

“When our film releases and the figures come in, I give the exact figures and tell my team not to release any wrong figures,” Aamir stated firmly. The 59-year-old actor described the practice of manipulating numbers as “very silly” and maintains strict honesty regarding his projects’ commercial performance, setting himself apart from industry norms.

When Nahta pointed out that approximately 90% of industry players resort to corporate bookings, Aamir initially hesitated to criticize others directly. However, he eventually addressed the underlying motivations behind such practices with characteristic candor.

Understanding Industry Pressures Behind False Numbers

“Every person has their own limitations… One shouldn’t lie… It’s human nature to think that I’ve made a film, it’s my business, so why would I say it’s not doing well? If people think it’s a huge success, they’ll invest more in me,” Khan explained, acknowledging the business pressures that drive producers toward dishonest reporting.

The actor’s comments come at a time when the authenticity of Bollywood box office figures faces increasing scrutiny. Corporate bookings involve purchasing tickets in bulk to inflate opening day collections, creating artificial buzz around underperforming films.

Aamir’s stance reinforces his reputation as an industry maverick who prioritizes artistic integrity over commercial manipulation, challenging Bollywood’s established practices.