Bollywood's Dirty Little Secret: Are Actors' Demands Driving Up Movie Costs? Vicky Kaushal and others are speaking out!
Ever wonder why some Bollywood movies seem to cost a fortune? It's not just the A-list salaries or the extravagant sets. A hidden culprit is the ever-increasing demands of actors' entourages – and the debate is heating up! In a recent candid discussion, Bollywood stars Kriti Sanon, Vicky Kaushal, Dhruv Vikram, and Ishaan Khatter bravely tackled the uncomfortable truth: unnecessary expenses that producers are often forced to shoulder. Let's dive into what they revealed.
Updated on Dec 18, 2025 | 12:46 PM IST| 132K
PC: Pinkvilla, Dhruv Vikram/Instagram
Movie-making is a financial minefield. Beyond the obvious costs of cast payments, elaborate sets, and the hair, makeup, and costume departments, producers face a barrage of less visible expenses. Chief among these is the often-exorbitant cost of the 'entourage' – the support staff and amenities demanded by actors.
In a recent roundtable discussion, Kriti Sanon, Vicky Kaushal, Dhruv Vikram, and Ishaan Khatter offered their perspectives on this contentious issue.
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During a roundtable conference hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India, Kriti Sanon emphasized that resolving the issue of unnecessary entourage costs requires a collaborative effort. She believes stars and producers must work together to identify and eliminate non-essential luxuries. "When it comes to your trainer or dietician, that is needed for the film, it’s okay," Sanon stated, "but otherwise, if you’re taking a cook or someone, then it’s your personal cost. Then you’re doing it for yourself.”
Vicky Kaushal echoed Sanon's sentiment, acknowledging that while he hasn't personally witnessed instances of actors demanding six vanity vans, he doesn't dismiss the possibility. He stressed the importance of correcting any practice that negatively impacts a film's financial health. "Anything that hurts the film financially should be coarse-corrected," he said. Building upon Kriti's point, Kaushal highlighted the distinction between costs that directly benefit the film or character and those that are purely personal indulgences.
To illustrate his point, Kaushal shared a practical example: "I need a gym on set because if it’s a 7 to 7, an action film, and my only time to train is at 5 in the morning, and the gym is going to be in the opposite direction of the location, then it helps if there’s some setup on the set. It helps the film, and every producer also understands that." He further emphasized the importance of direct communication between actors and filmmakers to address any on-set concerns.
Ishaan Khatter offered a unique perspective, suggesting that Indian actors are sometimes overly pampered. Drawing from his experience working on the American TV series, The Perfect Couple, Khatter recounted being provided with only a house and a car, requiring him to drive himself to set daily. He was responsible for his own laundry, cleaning, and cooking, while simultaneously preparing for his scenes. This starkly contrasted with the extensive support systems often afforded to actors in India.
"But here's where it gets controversial..." Khatter also noted that while the extensive support system in India creates numerous jobs, the line between necessity and excess is subjective and dependent on the specific needs of each project. He cited his experience on the Oscar-shortlisted film Homebound, where director Neeraj Ghaywan insisted on a single hair and makeup team for all actors to maintain a consistent look. Conversely, for The Royals, he required specialized training to portray a skilled horse rider convincingly, necessitating the hiring of a riding coach.
The conversation took a sharper turn when the discussion shifted to reports of stars demanding six vanity vans on set. Dhruv Vikram expressed his disbelief, exclaiming, "This is ridiculous. I'm sorry." The consensus among the actors was clear: unnecessary and excessive costs should be avoided.
"And this is the part most people miss..." It's crucial to remember that this isn't just about actors being greedy. It's about a culture within the industry, and the power dynamics at play. Producers often feel pressured to meet demands, fearing that refusing will lead to delays or even losing the actor altogether.
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So, what do you think? Are actors justified in requesting certain amenities to perform their best, or are some demands simply excessive and detrimental to the overall film? Where do you draw the line? And is it fair to blame the actors alone, or does the responsibility also lie with producers and the industry culture? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! This is a complex issue with no easy answers, and we'd love to hear your perspective.
