Sanjay Dutt now at a discount of Rs 4-5 crore! No charity from Salman and new strategies for Akshay and SRK. Reason - recession.
As Bollywood feels the impact of the global meltdown, yet more stars are agreeing to pay cuts. Recently HT City reported reduced packages being offered to A-listers - Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Shah Rukh Khan.
The latest victim of the recession is Sanjay Dutt, who had just upped his fee from Rs 5 crore to Rs 15 crore and has now reduced his rate by Rs 4-5 crore. Sanjay Dutt Productions CEO Dharam Oberoi said, “He thought it would be unfair to hike his prices at a time when the industry is struggling with recession.”
Sanjay is currently shooting for Rahul Dholakia's Lamhaa. Oberoi said the prices would be effective on films that he signs in 2009.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says that in some cases producers have two choices — either revive old deals or take their money back. “No one is in the profession to register losses. Most of these actors are working on films which were signed a year back.
Salman meanwhile has banned “charity films”. He said, “I charge what I deserve. But I am determined to say no to those projects I would do for friends or a friend’s friend. There’s no point being part of a film for someone’s sake, and make a flop. For me, my producers and fans are most important. If I start giving losses, it will be like garibi mein aata geela.”
Between Akshay and Shah Rukh the actors are considering reviewing their contracts.
Salman meanwhile has banned “charity films”. He said, “I charge what I deserve. But I am determined to say no to those projects I would do for friends or a friend’s friend. There’s no point being part of a film for someone’s sake, and make a flop. For me, my producers and fans are most important. If I start giving losses, it will be like garibi mein aata geela.”
Between Akshay and Shah Rukh the actors are considering reviewing their contracts.
“These actors don’t work on a payment basis. Their production houses are part of their deal. Akshay is reworking his strategy for his new films, including Priyadarshan’s De Dhana Dhan, which he is co producing with Venus Films.”
“Heroes are cutting prices because they don’t have a choice. Producers are hit by recession. If they don’t correct their salary in sync with their market value, they would soon be a zero from being a hero,” said Adarsh.