Manoj Bajpayee, acclaimed for his diverse roles, has added another achievement to his career by turning producer with his recent film, “Bhaiyaa Ji”. Amidst ongoing discussions about the increasing costs of star entourages causing financial strain on film production, Bajpayee shared his insights and potential solutions.
In an interview with News 18 Showsha, Bajpayee, now a producer, discussed the issues surrounding exorbitant fees and entourage demands from major stars. He shared his personal approach, revealing that he does not travel with a large entourage and has maintained the same team for the past 25 years.
He emphasized that despite the lack of luxurious perks, he remains committed to his projects. “There are some films where there are no vans, but we still do the film because of our passion for filmmaking,” he said, citing the example of the film Joram, which was shot without additional facilities.
Contradictions in Rising Entourage Costs
Bajpayee called the discussion on rising entourage costs “contradictory,” noting that producers often hire big stars to secure larger budgets for grand films. “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,” he explained.
Private Negotiations as a Solution
He suggested that producers should engage in private discussions with stars to negotiate fees and entourage costs. “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,” Bajpayee stated. He noted that no one has asked him to cut his fees because they are already reasonable, allowing his films to be completed efficiently.
Karan Johar’s Criticism of High Entourage Costs
Earlier this year, filmmaker Karan Johar also addressed this issue during the trailer launch of “Kill”. Johar criticized the rising costs, urging actors to understand the current industry climate. He argued that high above-the-line costs make it difficult to produce large-scale films and suggested performance-based remuneration as a solution. “Actors have to look within because a lot of them are not really in touch with reality,” Johar concluded.
Both Bajpayee and Johar’s comments highlight the need for a balanced approach to managing costs while maintaining the quality and feasibility of film productions.
