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Bollywood’s Rising Entourage Costs: Anil Sharma Speaks Out

Director of ‘Gadar 2’ Weighs in on Industry Spending

In the wake of his film ‘Gadar 2’ achieving monumental success, veteran filmmaker Anil Sharma has expressed his thoughts on the contentious issue of rising entourage expenses in Bollywood. During an interview with Pinkvilla, Sharma emphasized the need to redirect these funds towards improving film quality, a topic that has recently gained traction in the industry.

This discussion was ignited by actor Manoj Bajpayee’s comments to News18, where he noted the complexities of budget allocation in film production that accounts for a star’s market value alongside additional costs. Sharma echoed this sentiment, observing that the industry needs to reassess how it values celebrity influence versus actual box office performance.

Sharma candidly pointed out discrepancies regarding box office figures that often accompany big-name actors. Reflecting on the current climate, he stated, “Kahan mil raha hai? kisko mil raha hai? 2-2 crore ki opening ho rahi hai bade bade staron ki,” which translates to questioning who truly benefits from these high openings when many films are only earning about Rs. 2 crores. He argues that it’s the quality of the content that ultimately drives success at the box office, not just star power.

He urged a reconsideration of how financial allocations are made, noting that last year’s box office openings hovered between Rs. 2.5 crore and Rs. 4 crore. Basically, the extravagance associated with star entourages is aligning with these same figures, prompting Sharma to suggest that if actors wish for such accommodation, they should bear those costs themselves, similar to actors from previous eras.

Moreover, Sharma voiced his frustration about producers being pressured into meeting excessive demands of actors. “Producer pe aap vajan mat daliye, aap vazan vahan daaliye jo parde pe dikhta hai,” he remarked, advocating for a focus on elements that contribute to the film’s onscreen value rather than unnecessary expenditures.

In his critique, Sharma challenged the rationale behind maintaining large support teams, asking, “Aapko kyun 12 log hi chahiye,” and insisted that if actors require such extensive teams, they should fund them personally. He argued that even among the roster of actors, only a handful possess the ability to significantly impact box office outcomes solely through their fame.

This sentiment resonates with other industry moguls who worry about the escalating costs imposed by major stars. Filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar have spoken out about how these rising fees burden production budgets, complicating the film-making process without eroding quality. The dialogue has since broadened to explore the intricate balance between star appeal and the economic realities many face in the modern filmmaking landscape.

Source
www.news18.com