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After multiple big budget films started failing at the box office, discussions around their inflating production costs started to take the centrestage. It was revealed that more than half of the budget for these massive films was dedicated to their stars’ exorbitant fees, and their high entourage costs. Reports of stars demanding multiple vanity vans and showing up to set with large teams quickly went viral. Personalities like Farah Khan, Rakesh Roshan and Sanjay Gupta openly criticised such practices by detailing incidents of stars making unrealistic demands on set. Now, actor Aamir Khan has called this trend extremely shameful, questioning certain stars for their lack of grace.
In a conversation with Komal Nahta on his YouTube channel Game Changers, Aamir Khan said: “Stars should get recognition, but not to a point where they start to trouble the producers.” He recounted the time he entered the industry about 37 years ago, and said, “There was a system that the producer will pay for the star’s driver and his help on set. I found this practice very strange. I thought, ‘The driver and the help is working for me, why is the producer paying for it?'” He added sarcastically, “If the producer is paying my personal staff, does that mean he will also start paying for my kids’ school fees? Where will this stop?”
He said, “I believe producers should only spend on what is genuinely required for the film. This includes makeup, hair, costume. But paying for my personal driver or help, how are they contributing to the film? They are working for me. It is my responsibility to pay them, especially when I am earning well. From day one, I was very clear that no producer of mine will pay for my driver or help. It’s been 37 years now.”
The actor expressed dismay at the current trend. “I hear that stars of today also don’t care to pay their drivers. They ask their producers to pay them. Not just that, but the producer is also paying for the actor’s spot boy. They don’t stop here. They make the producer pay for their trainers, cooks. I have heard that now they keep live-kitchen on set and expect the producer to pay for it. They even demand multiple vanity vans for kitchens and gyms.”
Aamir clarified that he is not against the stars wanting all these facilities, but he finds it problematic when they expect their producers to pay for it. “Where are you spending all the money you are earning? He added: “These stars are earning in crores and yet not capable of paying for their needs? I find this extremely strange. It is very sad and harmful for the industry. I am saying it strongly that it’s a shame that even today there are actors who are being very unfair to their producers and their films. When you can afford a lifestyle for yourself, why are you putting that on a producer? Why should the producer give you six vans when all you need is one van for makeup?”
He added: “As an actor, it is my duty to make sure that the production house is not burdened because of me. Every team player should think this. You are all working for the film, be a team.”
The actor, however, admitted to certain exceptions. “Occasionally, when a certain training is needed for the film, then it should be paid by the producer. For example, in Dangal, I couldn’t expect my actors to know wrestling. I had to train them. I paid for the training. But, to make the producer pay for their cook… it makes no sense. Soon, these actors will expect the producer to pay for their new flat. This sounds extremely odd.”
Aamir stressed that he has never made his producers pay for his personal needs. “Even today, when I take my family for an outdoor shoot. I always pay from my pocket. I never have expected any of my producers to bear that extra cost. Stars today are taking disadvantage of their status. Their demands only project them in the wrong light,” he said.
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