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A blockbuster may change an actor's career, but in Bollywood, it doesn't necessarily guarantee lifelong financial security. Unlike Hollywood, where stars continue earning residuals from successful films and shows, Hindi cinema has no such system in place. Highlighting this disparity in an earlier interview, R Madhavan said that had Bollywood adopted Hollywood's model, the earnings from just three of his films—'3 Idiots', 'Rang De Basanti', and ' Tanu Weds Manu '—would have been enough to provide for generations of his family.

Speaking in an earlier conversation, Madhavan was asked whether Shah Rukh Khan 's decision to become a producer early in his career was a smart financial move. Responding to the question, he said in an old interview with Akshaye Rathi, "One cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach," explaining that such a path is easier for the industry's biggest stars. Elaborating further during a conversation with India TV Showbiz's YouTube channel, he said, "If you're commanding double-digit salaries, the rules that apply to them are different, simply because they have secured their future."

Madhavan pointed out that many actors eventually get accustomed to an expensive lifestyle, often without planning for financial uncertainty. "Their (A-list stars') salaries are such that they can afford to life this lifestyle for the rest of their lives. If I was a Hollywood actor, and I had the number of hits that I've had in my life, do you think that there would be a second thought before I jumped into (a risky project)? I would jump into it in an instant, because I knew that my future generations are taken care of with just three blockbusters."

Explaining why many actors continue to prioritise commercial projects, he added, "But when you know that there is no pension, but you've built a lifestyle that you need to maintain, then you start thinking 'paise toh lelo, pata nahi kal milega ke nahi milega'. The judiciary has to support the contracts that we sign'."

The actor also criticised the industry's payment practices, claiming delayed or incomplete payments are common but rarely challenged because legal battles demand time and money. Stressing the importance of a residual model, he said, "The moment residuals are possible, I'm sure everybody would like to jump in because then you can do the kind of work that you want."

Recalling veteran actor Amrish Puri 's career, Madhavan said that the late star reportedly continued receiving residual payments for his role in a Steven Spielberg film. Drawing a comparison with his own filmography, he said, "There's a famous story that Mr Amrish Puri is still getting residuals for the Steven Spielberg movie that he did. If I was a Hollywood actor, two or three films would be enough – maybe '3 Idiots', 'Rang De Basanti', and 'Tanu Weds Manu' – to feed the rest of my generations if they live sensibly."

For those not in the know, residuals are recurring payments made to actors and other members of a film or television production whenever a project continues to generate revenue through television broadcasts, streaming platforms, syndication, or other distribution channels. Unlike Bollywood, where such payments are uncommon, residuals have long been an established part of the Hollywood entertainment business.