Bollywood director blames stars’ diva demands for industry slump

The director did not name names of stars he considered overpaid. Some of the highest-paid stars include Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt. No direct allegations have been made against any of them but other filmmakers have also moaned about anonymous actors’ diva demands on set.

In April the director Farah Khan complained of stars demanding not one but four vanity vans, the Bollywood equivalent of Hollywood celebrities’ trailers: one for themselves, one for staff, one as a gym and another as a customised kitchen for their chef to prepare special meals.

“Until the vans come, they don’t act,” said Khan.

Others who work in the industry described an actress who orders all the most expensive dishes on room service when on a location shoot, such as lobster and salmon, not only for herself but her entire team and crew.

“Since the ‘team’ comprises her relatives as well as stylists, nutritionists, personal trainers and bouncers, it can go up to 20 people, costing the producer a lot,” said a designer who did not want to be named.

The designer added that one star “required” half a dozen bottles of Johnny Walker Black Label whisky in their van every day. Another had to be supplied with “girls”— with the cost ended up being described as “backup dancers” in the accounts.

Yet another who constantly “powdered his nose” had to be supplied with large amounts of cocaine to keep his energy levels up.

Last month the director Anurag Kashyap told the YouTube channel Humans of Cinema that too much of a typical movie budget was being spent on things other than making the film.

“It goes into the paraphernalia, the entourage. You’re shooting in the middle of a jungle but one car will be sent to the city three hours away to fetch that five-star hotel burger you want,” he said.

An industry insider said the expenses had “spiralled out of control”.

“Look, when the industry is doing well, these demands can be managed but not now. A bodyguard alone costs 25,000 rupees per day. Add hair stylists, personal trainers, make-up artists, spot-boys and it all balloons. It’s time for course correction,” he said.

The talk has turned to stars making unreasonable demands after a bad six months. Media reports indicate a 30 per cent decline in box office revenue for the first quarter.

The pandemic triggered turmoil which has still not entirely settled. In 2022 only 189 million cinema tickets were sold. In the past two years only Shah Rukh Khan has managed to deliver two blockbusters — Pathan and Jawan. He was paid about $12 million for his role in the latter.

Actresses earn considerably less: Padukone, the highest-paid Indian female star, charges up to $3.6 million per film.

Critics say the industry is struggling to come up with stories that appeal to Indian audiences. On this too, Johar lamented what he called the “herd mentality” which prevailed instead of true creativity.

If an action film did well at the box office, everyone started making action films. If a love story did well, everyone wanted to make a love story.

“I feel like we are running around like headless chickens. Conviction has taken a complete beating, and it’s all about herd mentality,” Johar said.