Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Ranveer Allahbadia Says Content Creation Outearns Most Bollywood Actors
Ranveer Allahbadia said creators can sometimes make more money than people working in Bollywood.
He said only a small number of top film personalities earn very large amounts.
In his view, thousands of creators can make a sustainable living online without becoming very famous.
Some people online agreed with him.
Others said most creators also earn little and that actors may be remembered for much longer.
Farah Khan shared a similar experience after starting a YouTube channel.
She said YouTube made her more money than her earlier work, but she still prefers directing films.
The discussion also highlights that online fame and income can disappear quickly, as creators can face backlash and lose work.
Ranveer Allahbadia claimed on X that content creation generally offers more earning opportunities than Bollywood.
He said only about 30 people at Bollywood’s top earn substantial money, while thousands of creators can build sustainable careers.
The claim received mixed online reactions, with critics citing income inequality, AI risks and the lasting cultural impact of actors.
Filmmaker Farah Khan said her YouTube earnings exceeded what she made from directing films, although she would still choose filmmaking.
Parmeet Sethi said his family’s YouTube channel could earn at least three times more than their combined film and television work.
- Who
- YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia made the claim; Farah Khan and Parmeet Sethi offered supporting personal observations, while online users expressed differing views.
- What
- Allahbadia argued that content creation provides more earning opportunities than Bollywood for a larger number of people.
- When
- Allahbadia posted the comments on Tuesday; the articles also refer to related events in 2024 and 2025.
- Where
- The claim was posted on X, with supporting comments discussed in interviews and podcasts.
- Why
- He said only a small group at the top of Bollywood earns substantial money, whereas thousands of creators can build sustainable careers.
Creator-Economy Perspective
Skeptical Perspective
Income opportunities
Creator-Economy Perspective
Allahbadia, Farah Khan and Parmeet Sethi said digital content can provide stronger or more widely available earnings than film and television work.
Skeptical Perspective
Critics argued that content creation also has a steep hierarchy, with only a small percentage of creators making substantial incomes.
Fame and lasting impact
Creator-Economy Perspective
Creators can build sustainable careers without achieving the level of fame expected of film actors.
Skeptical Perspective
Some users said actors are remembered for decades for major roles, while short-form internet personalities may be forgotten within weeks.
Career risks
Creator-Economy Perspective
The creator economy allows many people to build independent careers and audiences.
Skeptical Perspective
Critics noted risks including AI-related disruption, public backlash, cancellation and loss of work, as illustrated by Allahbadia’s 2025 controversy.
- Claim
- Content creation usually pays better than the film industry for a larger pool of people, according to Allahbadia.
- Bollywood estimate
- Allahbadia said roughly 30 people at the very top of Bollywood make “real money.”
- Farah Khan’s experience
- Khan said her YouTube earnings in a year exceeded what she had earned during her filmmaking career.
- Parmeet Sethi’s estimate
- Sethi said his family’s YouTube work could pay at least three times more than their combined film and television work if pursued full time.
- Online reaction
- Responses were mixed, with some users agreeing and others arguing that only a small share of creators earn significant incomes.
- Allahbadia controversy
- His appearance on India’s Got Latent in February 2025 led to backlash, police complaints and legal action.
- Court development
- In March 2025, the Supreme Court permitted him to resume his podcast subject to decency-related conditions.
