Riteish Deshmukh, a celebrated actor in both Bollywood and Marathi cinema, is known for his impeccable comic timing and versatility across various genres. Since his Bollywood debut in 2003 with “Tujhe Meri Kasam,” Deshmukh has carved out a strong fan base.
Recently, he weighed in on the heated debate about escalating star fees, suggesting that not burdening a film with high actor fees could ensure its survival and the well-being of those involved in its production.
Deshmukh emphasised his commitment to this principle by stating that he does not charge for his roles in projects produced by his banner, Mumbai Film Company.
“I’m a producer who casts me and I don’t pay myself, so I’m fine. I just feel that it’s important that you do not burden any film with an actor’s fee because the film needs to survive. And if the film survives, everyone will survive,” he told PTI.
Deshmukh, who ventured into film production with the 2013 Marathi movie “Balak-Palak,” has since produced and starred in hits like “Lai Bhaari” (2014) and “Ved” (2022). He is now set to make his series debut with “PILL,” premiering on JioCinema Premium on July 12.
Director Raj Kumar Gupta, known for films such as “Aamir” and “Raid,” echoed Deshmukh’s sentiments. He stressed the need for the industry to reduce overall production costs and allocate funds more effectively.
“The money needs to be spent in the right place. There also needs to be transparency from the studio or producer’s side. As an industry, we all need to come together to go to another level. We need to make films on a budget which works for everyone,” Gupta stated.
“PILL,” produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies, delves into the intricacies of the pharmaceutical industry. Riteish Deshmukh stars as Prakash Chauhan, who exposes the corruption within the Indian pharmaceutical sector.
The series features a cast that includes Pavan Malhotra and explores the journey of a pill from powerful pharma industrialists to corrupt doctors, compromised drug regulators, politicians, journalists, and whistleblowers.
With its premiere set for July 12, “PILL” promises to offer a gripping insight into the pharmaceutical world, highlighting the importance of ethical practices in the industry.