The rising cost of Bollywood entourages is a topic that has been in discussion for several months now. Several filmmakers and producers have slammed actors for unnecessarily having too many people around
them. Now, Jitesh Pillai, the editor of a prominent entertainment magazine and news site, has penned a strong note, exposing the demands of certain actors over the years.
Jitesh wrote, “The fur flew when a list of zany demands from Allu Arjun’s retinue hit social media. A brand manager working on a lifestyle magazine spilled the beans on a podcast. Why she was on a podcast is beyond me; what her credentials were to conduct a full-fledged chat remains a mystery. It seemed symptomatic of an industry in dire need of validation. ‘Yours is bigger than mine’ seems to be the mantra for every star. You are perceived to be as significant as your entourage, because size-apparently- matters.”
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He added, “As we know, everyone has spoken extensively about Ranveer Singh’s vanity vans and sprawling staff. But don’t lynch him alone; every star from A to Zzzzzz arrives with their own set of demands. As someone who manages a magazine and a massive event like Filmfare, I shudder. An A-list performer once presented us with an entourage count of 14 for travel, boarding, and ticketing-including her digital team. Why should we subsidize a digital team? We pushed back. We pay a premium for the performance; what value-add does a star’s personal social media crew bring to the Filmfare Awards? She eventually pruned her retinue to eight. Phew!”
“The excesses are manifold. Another star insisted on two kilos of green apples for a shoot, only for me to witness the driver whisking away the surplus. Yet another star’s driver presented us with a bill for 1,500 McDonald’s burgers. I kid you not. I am certain the star, to this day, remains oblivious to what occurs behind their back. In my early days at the Filmfare Awards, a star with a clean-shaven head charged me $7,50,000 in hairdresser fees. For what joy? Mind you, the actor was sporting a bald pate for a film,” he continued.
He also mentioned, “The recent fixation is chartered planes. Why are regular commercial flights suddenly inadequate? I’m told certain stars squeeze producers dry with the exorbitant costs of private travel during film promotions. A few years ago, while a magnum opus was being promoted, the styling charges for the hero and heroine escalated to a crore for a mere 15 days of publicity-a fact attested by the company’s own executives.”
“We refused to cough up 45,000 for ‘diet food’ prepared by a specially flown-in chef or to cover specialised trainer fees. Why should production underwrite your ancillary retinue? One star-son never travels with fewer than 11 people. On a recent outdoor shoot in Spain, a semi-arty filmmaker was aghast when his leading man’s entourage totaled 16-including a tattoo artist and a junior fighter. I saw the names on the production sheet; I was floored,” he recalled.
Jitesh wrote, “We are in a people’s business. We labor on these projects for the love of the medium, for the art, and for the enduring imagery of cinema. I often reflect on the Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, and SRK cover we produced at almost zero cost, or those iconic magazine fronts. I think of the transcendent Filmfare performances that audiences still revisit on YouTube -be it SRK, Rekha, Madhuri, or Bachchan.”
The note also mentioned, “Such magnificent memories and imperishable images recall the halcyon days of cinema-whether it was the SRK-Saif hosting era or the debuts of Ranbir and Imran Khan as hosts. We, and the audience, will remember them for the warmth and affection they gave us through their craft. That is infinitely better than remembering the heartburn caused by green apples, personal trainers, and ridiculous entourages.”
Reflecting on Deepika Padukone’s exit from Kalki 2, he wrote, “Does all this translate to box office returns? I am skeptical. The episode of the Kalki producers replacing Deepika Padukone left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. It was handled clumsily, and one wishes more tact had been employed in their press release. Perhaps Padukone’s demands were exorbitant, but surely matters could have been resolved in a more dignified fashion.”
However, he wrote, “Having said that, not all actors are unreasonable. The icons of the ’90s and early 2000s-right up to 2010 -were a pleasure to work with. Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Tabu, and Vidya Balan, right through to Rajkummar Rao: no frills, no fuss. They did their work and allowed you to savor the experience. May their tribe flourish.”
“Did star managements and the proliferation of PR firms with their vulgar demands exacerbate the situation? Largely, yes. But don’t these talents possess minds of their own? Producers, directors, and event heads must take a stand. Sometimes, you have to let go of a ‘delicious prospect’ because it simply defies business logic,” he concluded.
Previously, the likes of Anurag Kashyap, Komal Nahta, Shoojit Sircar and Rajeev Masand have criticised the rising costs of Bollywood entourages. Actors like Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, John Abraham and Jackie Shroff have openly discussed the matter. While they did agree that a huge entourage was not required, they also spoke for some actors who have too many people around them.
