Anurag Kashyap shreds starry demands, escalating entourage costs: ‘Five-star burger is driven in from a city three hours away’

Also read – Star fees over Rs 100 cr, demands for multiple vanity vans, entourage cost of Rs 20 lakh per day: As Bollywood biggies bomb, focus on actors’ overhead costs

Asked about certain big-budget films, many of which have flopped in the recent past, Anurag said, “Because they aren’t spending on just the film. One thing people need to understand is that when we make a film, we’re working, we’re creating something. It’s not a holiday, it’s not a picnic. A lot of money that is spent doesn’t go into making the film. It goes into the paraphernalia, it goes into the entourage. You’re shooting in the middle of a jungle, but one car will be sent to the city three hours away specifically to get you that five-star burger you want.”

Several prominent film industry personalities have weighed in on these ballooning costs. Filmmaker Farah Khan said that some stars demand as many as four vanity vans on set, which is a waste of the producer’s money. Producers of the film Srikanth recently claimed that Rajkummar Rao’s entourage isn’t as ‘overwhelming’ as that of other stars. Kriti Sanon reasoned that some costs that might seem extraneous are actually critical. “But if you are in a film where you need to make a certain kind of body for that particular role, then obviously from the actor a lot of effort goes in achieving that. The expenses then, rightly so, the producer takes care of. So, you need to understand what is needed and what is luxury. The producers have to take a call,” she told Film Companion.

Janhvi Kapoor, on the other hand, said that as a producer’s daughter, she is mindful of escalating costs, but at the same time, is protective of her team. “I’m of the belief that everyone on a film set is an artiste. I know I’m very protective of my team and I’d like to protect their rights,” she told indianexpress.com.