Is this true?

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19950215-filmstars-take-advantage-of-their-star-appeal-hike-prices-806903-1995-02-15

Maybe, but I do know for sure that certain stars are getting pay checks which are way above their crowd-drawing abilities.

They are commercial people. They  demand money as per their market value in the industry. The more they are able to pull crowds in theatres, the more market value they have that make then hike prices as they know over time their market value will depreciate. They have to take advantage of their hay days. This is how the industry has always being working, now rather industry people getting more and more commercial these days.

The linked article is from 1995. 😆

It was true then, it's true now.  It's a business and actors want to get paid - quite reasonable.   The only difference between then and now is much bigger numbers.

lol, are you still living in 1995.

I am shocked that India Today had a website back then