With the film industry facing financial challenges, top producers are criticising the exorbitant fees and entourage demands of major stars, which are significantly increasing production costs. Popular filmmakers such as Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar have highlighted how rising star fees are straining their movie budgets. In a recent interview with News18 Showsha, actor Manoj Bajpayee, who ventured into production with his film Bhaiyya Ji, discussed the issue. He emphasised the need for producers to have private discussions with stars about these matters.
Manoj remarked, “I don’t travel with a large entourage. My team has been with me for 25 years, and I receive the same perks I always have. In some films, there are no vans, and we accept that because our passion is to make the film. We work within a medium budget. For Joram, there were no vans or additional facilities during most of the shoot.”
He described the discussion as “a little contradictory,” noting, “Those complaining are often making films with stars because they believe these stars will secure a larger budget for a grand film. A big star comes with their own set of perks, so you can’t expect them to lower their fees or perks to fit your budget.”
Bajpayee also pointed out that producers who wish to leverage a star’s popularity but still adhere to a strict budget should engage in private negotiations. “Films are made within the budget provided by the star’s market value. If you want to use the star’s appeal but keep the budget low, you need to negotiate directly with the star. Public complaints won’t solve the problem. Only a private discussion will help you find a compromise. No one has asked me to cut my fees because they’re already reasonable. We complete a film in 35-40 days, and everyone is satisfied.”
Manoj Bajpayee’s 100th film, Bhaiyya Ji, is now streaming on Zee5.
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