अनुराग कश्यप बताते हैं कि कैसे शाहरुख खान, सलमान खान, आमिर खान की फिल्में महंगी नहीं हैं: 'वे इसके बदले फीस नहीं लेते...'

Anurag Kashyap explains how Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan films are not costly: ‘They don’t take fees instead…’

In recent weeks, concerns have mounted within Bollywood as reports from The Indian Express underscore a stark reality: the industry is currently navigating through one of its most challenging phases in recent memory. Described as "one of the driest periods in recent times," Bollywood insiders are candidly admitting to a severe financial crunch, with blunt declarations that "there’s no money" circulating among industry circles.

At the heart of these issues are the exorbitant demands of top-tier stars and the escalating costs associated with their entourages. Anurag Kashyap, a prominent filmmaker known for his bold narratives and uncompromising stance, has emerged as a vocal critic of the status quo. He has pointedly called out the excessive fees commanded by stars, highlighting the detrimental impact on film budgets and production viability.

During a recent conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Kashyap didn't mince words when addressing the issue. He emphasized a need for industry stakeholders to adopt a more pragmatic approach, citing examples from superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, who he believes have struck a balance between their stature and production requirements.

Kashyap's approach to managing such challenges is direct and unwavering. He adamantly stated that he is willing to replace any actor who makes unreasonable demands that could inflate production costs unnecessarily. "Mere set pe aisa koi demand ayega na, mai actor drop kardeta hu" (If anyone makes such demands on my set, I remove the actor), he asserted firmly. For him, the makeup and hair departments are strictly professional realms, overseen by department heads who select their teams meticulously. His decisions, he stressed, are driven solely by the needs of the production and not by the star power of the actors involved.

Furthermore, Kashyap condemned the prevalent practice of allocating a disproportionate share of a film's budget to star fees, sometimes reaching as high as 50-60%. "Jab aap film banate ho, toh film banane se jyada kharcha faltu cheezon mein jaata hai" (When you make a film, more money is spent on useless things than on production), he criticized. He highlighted his own approach of staying within budgetary limits, often foregoing his own fees to ensure the financial health of his projects. "Mai jaisi filmein banata hu mai limit mein rehta hu, kayi baar mai apni fees forfeit bhi kar deta hu" (I stay within the limits of the kind of films I make, and sometimes I even forfeit my fees), he revealed, underscoring his commitment to responsible filmmaking practices.

Kashyap's viewpoints resonate against a backdrop of industry-wide introspection, where the balance between artistic integrity and financial sustainability is increasingly precarious. As Bollywood grapples with economic pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving audience preferences, voices like Kashyap's serve as crucial reminders of the need for pragmatism and fiscal discipline in the pursuit of cinematic excellence. His uncompromising stance not only reflects his personal ethos but also underscores broader debates about the future of filmmaking in one of the world's most prolific entertainment industries.

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