i: With flops like Yuvvraaj, Chandni Chowk to China and Akshay Kumar, whose acting fees had reportedly hit a
high of Rs 75 crore in 2008, has reduced his fees to
around Rs 33 crore. So it seems even the Khiladi
could not dodge the effects of an economy in recession.
“Yes, it is true that I have cut my acting fees. We all
have to do that keeping today’s markets in mind,” Akshay said.
The recent two month face-off between producers and
multiplex owners has already cost them Rs 100 crore
and Rs 250 crore respectively. Add to it, the economic
slowdown and producers are being forced to tighten
their budgets. They have cut down on star prices,
limited the hire of studio equipment, studio floors
and even vanity vans.
“When we started Kaminey the markets were different.
We had to cut costs after the recession,” filmmaker
Vishal Bhardwaj said.
Marketing films has also taken a hit. Kambakht Ishq,
made at Rs 65 crore, went over budget as a result
the plan to fly in the Hollywood talent used in the film
including Sylvester Stallone has now been scrapped.
It wasn't long ago that films like Om Shanti Om and
Ghajini were being picked up for unheard of prices
ranging from Rs 60 crore – Rs 90 crore. However,
the offers aren't so readily coming in now.
Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan starrer London Dreams
which was to be bought by the Indian Film Company
for Rs 120 crore at one point of time is finding it
difficult to fetch even Rs 80 crore now.
Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt starrer Bluereportedly
made at Rs 100 crore is still looking for a buyer.
Even one of Bollywood's most successful filmmakers
Rakesh Roshan is reportedly having trouble getting
the Rs 100-crore price attached to the Hrithik Roshan-
Barbara Mori starrer Kites.
In fact several productions in the pipeline have been
affected by the current market scenario. While Big
Pictures have scrapped their adventure dramaTalisman
starring Amitabh Bachchan, Eros has pushed the start
date for their animation and special effects heavy futuristic
film RA1 starring Shah Rukh Khan.
It is said that everything that goes up at some point does
come down, whether it is the stock market, inflation, star
prices, or budget of Bollywood films. The only thing certain
in this world is uncertainty!
