In the world of Hindi cinema, there has been a growing concern about the immense budgets of films and the unregulated demands of top stars. This has come to light especially after several big-budget Hindi films have flopped at the box office this year. Abhishek Banerjee, an actor and casting director known for his work in Stree, Bhediya, Dream Girl, Dream Girl 2, Pataal Lok, and Mirzapur, recently shared his thoughts on this issue. Despite having over a decade of experience in the industry, he pointed out that supporting actors often earn less than a star’s bodyguard.
In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Abhishek discussed the rising costs of film production, which are often attributed to the high fees of top stars. He emphasized that the responsibility for this lies with the producers. “That’s completely a star thing, one can’t blame actors for that. The producers have to decide,” he said. Abhishek has witnessed firsthand the unreasonable demands made by some stars during his years as a casting director. These demands often result in budget cuts for other actors, who end up getting paid very little for their work.
The Impact on Supporting Actors
Abhishek shared how he was often put in difficult positions as a casting director. Producers would tell him, “Kam paise mein cast karo,” which means “cast for less money.” This often led to talented actors being underpaid. He expressed frustration over this trend, stating that good actors sometimes receive peanuts for their roles in shows or films. “One can’t pay a star’s bodyguard more than an actor’s daily wage,” he added, highlighting the disparity in payments.
This issue is not just about individual actors but also affects the overall quality of films. When most of the film’s budget goes to the star and their entourage, there is little left for other important aspects of production. This can lead to cost-cutting measures that compromise the quality of the film. An actor mentioned to indianexpress.com that this often results in either hiring good talent for less pay, which can demotivate them, or replacing them with less experienced people, which affects the film’s quality.
Abhishek Banerjee’s Experience
Abhishek also recounted a personal experience where a production house put him in a tough spot. They wanted a good actor but had a very limited budget. “Hamare paas budget itna hi hai lekin achha actor chahiye,” they would say, which translates to, “We have only this much budget but want a good actor.” This situation, he described as appalling, is unfortunately common in the industry.
Abhishek Banerjee’s insights shed light on a significant issue within the Hindi film industry. The focus on star power and their demands often leads to unfair treatment and underpayment of supporting actors. This not only affects the morale of these actors but also impacts the overall quality of films. As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for producers to recognize the value of all actors and ensure fair compensation to maintain a high standard of filmmaking.
