Bollywood Stars' Extravagant Demands Drain Industry

Bollywood's financial struggles are increasingly attributed to the extravagant demands of its top artists, according to industry insiders. Star fees and the extensive support teams accompanying them, including makeup artists, hairdressers, and personal trainers, are significantly increasing production costs, outpacing potential box office returns.

Producers are voicing concerns that these escalating expenses, such as hiring multiple private trailers costing up to $18,000 each, are unsustainable. Veteran producer Mukesh Bhatt noted that these demands "inflate budgets without proportionate creative impact," leading to an economic imbalance in an industry already known for its unpredictability.

To address this, industry figures are proposing partnership-style compensation models where all contributors benefit when a film succeeds. Actor Kartik Aaryan, who waived his fee for the film 'Shehzada,' exemplified a willingness to adjust compensation based on project value, suggesting a more balanced approach to managing the financial risks inherent in film production.