Bollywood producers refuse to pay for stars' vanity costs

After the new 12.36% service tax on their income, Bollywood actors just got another pay shock. This time, it’s not the government but the Producers’ Guild that has issued a diktat, asking them to bear the entire expense of...

After the new 12.36% service tax on their income, Bollywood actors just got another pay shock. This time, it’s not the government but the Producers’ Guild that has issued a diktat, asking them to bear the entire expense of their entourage, including makeup artists, hair stylists, drivers, spot boys and security. Earlier, it was the filmmakers who’d pay an actor’s staff.

Filmmaker-Kunal-Kohli

“The service tax is already killing the producers who ultimately have to pay more fee to stars, and the staff of some of the actors were asking for exorbitant amounts. Some drivers and spot boys were demanding Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 a day. Makeup artists and hair dressers were asking for Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 a day,” said filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt, vice president of the Film and TV Producers Guild. He added, “The actors have now been told that the amount they pay to the staff will be included in their remuneration and no overheads will be paid separately.”

Kareena Kapoor in a still from Heroine

While A-listers such as Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan have all signed the agreement, among those yet to concede are Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. The new protocol came into effect on July 7.