The industry grapevine is buzzing with the rumour that Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are no longer on talking terms. The actors were bonding so much on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani that they were fuelling rumours that there might be more to their relationship than what meets the eye and that Ranbir's relationship with Deepika Padukone was on the rocks.
Deepika is said to have even visited the sets of Rajkumar Santoshi's film just to check whether the rumour had any truth to it. And then reports claimed that Deepika had put her foot down and thus Ranbir put the brakes on his growing friendship with Kat to mend their affair.
Since then, sources say that the duo are avoiding each other completely and have also dubbed separately for the film even for portions that required them to do it together because there are emotionally charged moments that needed the right channelling of feelings from both parties.
Our source says, "Ranbir and Katrina became very close friends on the sets of the film and their growing fondness for each other speculated a lot of rumour. The two even attended the wrap-up party of the film and their body language was very cordial.
Everything was fine between them till then but after reports said that Deepika was not taking their relationship with a smile, things seem to have changed. The two were supposed to dub together for the movie but now they aren't doing that. They came into the dubbing studio separately and have not even met once there. They have also not signed any other film in which they are being cast together."
Rajkumar Santoshi confirms the news saying, "It is true that they are not dubbing together. I really would have loved to see them dub together as there were scenes that needed them to be together. I can't say anything on whether they are on talking terms or not," he states, adding, "They are thorough professionals. Katrina and Ranbir have been on time for the dubbing sessions even if they are not doing it together."
When contacted, Katrina remained tight-lipped on the subject. On the news of them not being on talking terms, "Not true," she said. "It takes me a lot longer to dub so I have started earlier." She then went on to add, "We are good friends."
Now, now, haven't we heard this line a number of times before!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Lindsay Lohan spends 11hrs in salon to get red hair bleached
Mean Girls star Lindsay Lohan has taken her obsession with Marilyn Monroe a step further, by spending 11 hours in a salon just to get her red hair bleached.
Lohan, 23, is also said to have had long extensions put in during her trip to the hairdressers, reports the Sun.
The actress finally emerged from a Beverly Hills salon puffing on a cigarette, though she covered up her new hairdo with a Fedora as she headed to on-off girlfriend DJ Sam Ronson's home.
Lohan had also revealed that she wanted to take her obsession with Monroe to the big screen, and star in a remake of movie classic 'Some Like It Hot'.
Lohan, 23, is also said to have had long extensions put in during her trip to the hairdressers, reports the Sun.
The actress finally emerged from a Beverly Hills salon puffing on a cigarette, though she covered up her new hairdo with a Fedora as she headed to on-off girlfriend DJ Sam Ronson's home.
Lohan had also revealed that she wanted to take her obsession with Monroe to the big screen, and star in a remake of movie classic 'Some Like It Hot'.
Big scare for Ash, Abhi as elephant runs amok
Bollywood superpair Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan had a jumbo scare when one co-actor went berserk. The co-actor, an elephant, was brought in for the shoot of Ravan, directed by Mani Ratnam.
His film company, Madras Talkies, has now been issued a show-cause notice by the Animal Welfare Board for not taking permission to use elephants in the film. One of the two elephants brought for the shoot turned amok, killing its mahout on Wednesday. Police said there was no shooting today and the unit had informed them they were shifting to Udhagamandalam.
The film was being shot with the lead pair in the forests near Athirampally waterfalls in Thrissur district when the mahout was trampled to death by the elephant after the shoot was over. Aishwarya, Abhishek and Mani Ratnam were at the shooting site when the incident took place.
Animal Welfare Board secretary D Rajasekar said no permission had been obtained by Mani Ratnam for using elephants. The Board has asked the company to submit its reply in seven days and the chief wildlife warden to give a report about the incident.
A no-objection certificate has to be obtained from the board for shooting films, TV serials and commercials in which animals are used.The elephant, which stood in the middle of the road blocking the way of the Bollywood pair, who were staying at Athirampally Rainforest resort, was brought under control late last night and taken away from the spot early Thursday morning, the police said.
His film company, Madras Talkies, has now been issued a show-cause notice by the Animal Welfare Board for not taking permission to use elephants in the film. One of the two elephants brought for the shoot turned amok, killing its mahout on Wednesday. Police said there was no shooting today and the unit had informed them they were shifting to Udhagamandalam.
The film was being shot with the lead pair in the forests near Athirampally waterfalls in Thrissur district when the mahout was trampled to death by the elephant after the shoot was over. Aishwarya, Abhishek and Mani Ratnam were at the shooting site when the incident took place.
Animal Welfare Board secretary D Rajasekar said no permission had been obtained by Mani Ratnam for using elephants. The Board has asked the company to submit its reply in seven days and the chief wildlife warden to give a report about the incident.
A no-objection certificate has to be obtained from the board for shooting films, TV serials and commercials in which animals are used.The elephant, which stood in the middle of the road blocking the way of the Bollywood pair, who were staying at Athirampally Rainforest resort, was brought under control late last night and taken away from the spot early Thursday morning, the police said.
Love Aaj Kal opens to huge expectations
Director Imtiaz Ali's much awaited Love Aaj Kal, marking the debut of national-award winning actor Saif Ali Khan as a producer, released worldwide today to huge expectations.
With this, the Omkara star has joined the Khan bandwagon--Shah Rukh and Aamir, who are established producers.
Love... is a story eulogising the importance of heart over head theme for a commitment phobic, where Saif plays two diverse characters, featuring Deepika Padukone as the female protagonist.
The actor essays the characters of Jai representing today's alpha male, and Veer, the younger version of Rishi Kapoor, a shy but sure lover, set in the 50s; and in both the phases, he listens and follows his heart to win the lady love in different circumstances.
While some critics dubbed the Imtiaz Ali's latest as cliched, others said good locales and foot-tapping numbers may help it to pick up with word-of-the-mouth publicity.
"Expectations are high especially after Jab We Met and comparisons between both the films were evident," said another film critic.
An additional highlight of the film is a cameo by yesteryear actress Neetu Singh opposite her real life husband Rishi Kapoor.
Akash, a college student, who caught the first show today, went ga-ga over the Om Shanti Om girl Deepika Padukone. "A few more such classy performances and she would be in the top league," he said.
However, Shashi Sharma, a bank manager in his mid 40s, did not find the film to be riveting but found Deepika impressive.
Senior journalist Ajay Brahmatmaj, felt that the Imtiaz used the flashback sequences in a very innovative manner.
On Deepika's performance he said," the character required a lot of maturity. Especially in the sequence depicting her longing for Saif and dilema to choose between love and marriage could have been handled in a better way."
"Saif has handled two different characters ably showing his versatality." As usual, Rishi Kapoor was very likeable even in a small role, he added.
The movie also had its share of controversies with the All India Punjabi Cultural and Heritage Board objecting to two scenes in a Gurudwara and the trimmed beard of Saif's Sikh character in the film.
However, Saif has given a written apology to the board, its president Charan Singh Sapra said yesterday.
With this, the Omkara star has joined the Khan bandwagon--Shah Rukh and Aamir, who are established producers.
Love... is a story eulogising the importance of heart over head theme for a commitment phobic, where Saif plays two diverse characters, featuring Deepika Padukone as the female protagonist.
The actor essays the characters of Jai representing today's alpha male, and Veer, the younger version of Rishi Kapoor, a shy but sure lover, set in the 50s; and in both the phases, he listens and follows his heart to win the lady love in different circumstances.
While some critics dubbed the Imtiaz Ali's latest as cliched, others said good locales and foot-tapping numbers may help it to pick up with word-of-the-mouth publicity.
"Expectations are high especially after Jab We Met and comparisons between both the films were evident," said another film critic.
An additional highlight of the film is a cameo by yesteryear actress Neetu Singh opposite her real life husband Rishi Kapoor.
Akash, a college student, who caught the first show today, went ga-ga over the Om Shanti Om girl Deepika Padukone. "A few more such classy performances and she would be in the top league," he said.
However, Shashi Sharma, a bank manager in his mid 40s, did not find the film to be riveting but found Deepika impressive.
Senior journalist Ajay Brahmatmaj, felt that the Imtiaz used the flashback sequences in a very innovative manner.
On Deepika's performance he said," the character required a lot of maturity. Especially in the sequence depicting her longing for Saif and dilema to choose between love and marriage could have been handled in a better way."
"Saif has handled two different characters ably showing his versatality." As usual, Rishi Kapoor was very likeable even in a small role, he added.
The movie also had its share of controversies with the All India Punjabi Cultural and Heritage Board objecting to two scenes in a Gurudwara and the trimmed beard of Saif's Sikh character in the film.
However, Saif has given a written apology to the board, its president Charan Singh Sapra said yesterday.
Marriage made in heaven or on TV? Rakhi will decide on Sunday
Will she? Won't she? Rakhi Sawant moved from being an outspoken item girl to a coy bride, and now the question whether she will actually get married through her televised swayamvar has middle class India in a thrall.
The "wedding" is slated for Sunday on her show Rakhi ka Swayamvar -- which saw Rakhi choosing the most suitable groom from a list of 16 in 25 episodes -- and excitement is peaking.
"It has to be the Canadian guy", "She will walk out without marrying", "There will be a wild card entry", "The contestants would be asked to choose between money and Rakhi", "Who cares?"... just some of the random thoughts and queries of the many viewers that NDTV Imagine added after the reality show began June 29.
Dressed in Indian finery and suitably demure, Rakhi shortlisted five grooms and even went to their homes to get to know the families. As the feisty bit actress who hit the limelight with her outrageous statements, not to forget the kissing controversy with singer Mika, played the ideal Indian bahu, viewers happily tuned in every weeknight.
On Sunday, the speculation will come to an end when Rakhi announces whom she will marry.
"It's likely that the show is a farce, because most of the shows that generate huge publicity are planned for that purpose. Maybe she will marry him for the show, with a pre-nuptial agreement and then annul the marriage...unless the chosen one is rich enough to stay with," said Jaya Kumar Mathur, a housewife.
There are others who did not share Jaya's cynicism and said Rakhi could actually be looking for true love.
According to Saniya Mehta, for instance, it is quite possible she will settle down with one of the final three contenders - Toronto-based Gujarati boy Elesh Parujanwala, young aspirant Manas Katyal and businessman Chhitiz Jain, both of whom stay in New Delhi.
"But unless the groom shifts to Mumbai, which is Rakhi's workplace, her life would not be smooth after the show. She should take her decision carefully," said Mehta who feels Parujanwala is the best suitor for the item girl.
Channel officials are equally clueless.
"It would be a big decision for Rakhi. There is new speculation every day about the climax of the show, but even we can't tell anything as of now. Ultimately what will happen on Sunday will be entirely Rakhi's call," Nikhil Madhok, vice president (marketing and communications) of NDTV Imagine said.
"If she says she wants to marry the same day, we are all set with the preparations. If not, it's for her to decide because it's her life," he added.
The preparations are grand. Whatever the decision, Rakhi will be dressed in a Neeta Lulla creation and wear jewellery designed by Farah Ali Khan, including a necklace worth Rs 3 million.
Of course, like any other grand Indian wedding, a multi-cuisine buffet dinner will be laid out. The menu, planned by Rakhi herself will include Gujarati, Punjabi and Maharashtrian delicacies.
The guest list will be equally impressive, including TV celebrities as well as Bollywood stars. Rumours are rife that Bollywood's ace director Karan Johar, who invited Rakhi on his chat show Koffee With Karan is expected to be one of the invitees.
The show, the first of its kind in India, has brought unprecedented TRP (television rating points) success for NDTV Imagine. The premiere of the one-hour show saw ratings soar to 3.5%. The channel is hoping that Sunday's episode will be even better.
In the original American show, The Bachelorette, the contestant in many cases didn't get married or the marriage didn't last too long, with the one exception. Trista Rehn marriedphysiotherapist Ryan Sutter in the maiden season of the show in 2003 and now has two children.
So will it be happily ever after for Rakhi too?
The "wedding" is slated for Sunday on her show Rakhi ka Swayamvar -- which saw Rakhi choosing the most suitable groom from a list of 16 in 25 episodes -- and excitement is peaking.
"It has to be the Canadian guy", "She will walk out without marrying", "There will be a wild card entry", "The contestants would be asked to choose between money and Rakhi", "Who cares?"... just some of the random thoughts and queries of the many viewers that NDTV Imagine added after the reality show began June 29.
Dressed in Indian finery and suitably demure, Rakhi shortlisted five grooms and even went to their homes to get to know the families. As the feisty bit actress who hit the limelight with her outrageous statements, not to forget the kissing controversy with singer Mika, played the ideal Indian bahu, viewers happily tuned in every weeknight.
On Sunday, the speculation will come to an end when Rakhi announces whom she will marry.
"It's likely that the show is a farce, because most of the shows that generate huge publicity are planned for that purpose. Maybe she will marry him for the show, with a pre-nuptial agreement and then annul the marriage...unless the chosen one is rich enough to stay with," said Jaya Kumar Mathur, a housewife.
There are others who did not share Jaya's cynicism and said Rakhi could actually be looking for true love.
According to Saniya Mehta, for instance, it is quite possible she will settle down with one of the final three contenders - Toronto-based Gujarati boy Elesh Parujanwala, young aspirant Manas Katyal and businessman Chhitiz Jain, both of whom stay in New Delhi.
"But unless the groom shifts to Mumbai, which is Rakhi's workplace, her life would not be smooth after the show. She should take her decision carefully," said Mehta who feels Parujanwala is the best suitor for the item girl.
Channel officials are equally clueless.
"It would be a big decision for Rakhi. There is new speculation every day about the climax of the show, but even we can't tell anything as of now. Ultimately what will happen on Sunday will be entirely Rakhi's call," Nikhil Madhok, vice president (marketing and communications) of NDTV Imagine said.
"If she says she wants to marry the same day, we are all set with the preparations. If not, it's for her to decide because it's her life," he added.
The preparations are grand. Whatever the decision, Rakhi will be dressed in a Neeta Lulla creation and wear jewellery designed by Farah Ali Khan, including a necklace worth Rs 3 million.
Of course, like any other grand Indian wedding, a multi-cuisine buffet dinner will be laid out. The menu, planned by Rakhi herself will include Gujarati, Punjabi and Maharashtrian delicacies.
The guest list will be equally impressive, including TV celebrities as well as Bollywood stars. Rumours are rife that Bollywood's ace director Karan Johar, who invited Rakhi on his chat show Koffee With Karan is expected to be one of the invitees.
The show, the first of its kind in India, has brought unprecedented TRP (television rating points) success for NDTV Imagine. The premiere of the one-hour show saw ratings soar to 3.5%. The channel is hoping that Sunday's episode will be even better.
In the original American show, The Bachelorette, the contestant in many cases didn't get married or the marriage didn't last too long, with the one exception. Trista Rehn marriedphysiotherapist Ryan Sutter in the maiden season of the show in 2003 and now has two children.
So will it be happily ever after for Rakhi too?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Bollywood Stars Compete With Hollywood For The Big Earnings
Forbes annually publishes its top celebrities list based on earnings and visibility. Top Hollywood earners make more than $100 million dollars annually. But how does its Bollywood brethren fair?
Depends on how you calculate earnings. India's most talented earns a tenth of that - according to the list of top income tax payers. India's top four actors paid $10mn in advance tax in 2009. Industry favorite Akshay Kumar paid $4mn in taxes and Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan paid $3mn. Third on the list is superstar Hrthik Roshan, who paid $2mn followed by Aamir Khan who paid $1.3mn.
If advance tax receipts are accurate, it means that Akshay earned approximately $12mn last year, Shah Rukh Khan earned $9mn, Hrthik Roshan, $6mn and Aamir Khan, $4mn.
However, advance taxes often understate how much Bollywood stars actually pay as they are only an indication of the total income of a person. Bollywood stars have three major sources of income: (1) movies (2) endorsements (3) TV shows. And endorsements, for many, yield much more income than the movies.
Bollywood stars promote anywhere from 10 to 15 products a year and top stars make +$1mn per endorsement. Cola companies line up at the feet of Bollywood Stars with Coca-Cola and Pepsi paying top dollars for an endorsement. Not far behind, are the telecom companies who also shell out big bucks. These endorsements earn Bollywood stars more than movies.
Akshay Kumar endorses approximately 10 products at any given time. Conservatively, from his endorsements alone, Akshay makes $10mn. Add his salary from his movies, which averages $4mn per movie, and he makes an additional $12mn a year (given that he makes +3 movies a year). Finally, like many top bollywood stars, Akshay is on television. He is earning approximately $500k per episode as an anchor on the Indian version of Fear Factor. All in all, he is going to clear $20mn from the reality show for its forty episode run. That mean's Akshay's total earnings are $40mn dollars a year.
But that's not all Akshay earns in India, where Purchasing Power Parity (PPT) means that his earnings go along away. Take the standard PPT ratio of 5:1 and Akshay Kumar earns more than $200mn per year-adjusted dollars - more than any Hollywood Star.
Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan (also known as the King of Bollywood) are the two other movie stars who are doing the Bollywood trifecta: (1) movies (2) TV and (3) endorsements. A similar analysis of Shahrukh's pay would find him earning more than $50mn (in his top years). That's how the King of Bollywood can afford to pay a reported $30mn for a new house in London.
Bollywood stars aren't showing up in the Forbes list, but they should be.
Depends on how you calculate earnings. India's most talented earns a tenth of that - according to the list of top income tax payers. India's top four actors paid $10mn in advance tax in 2009. Industry favorite Akshay Kumar paid $4mn in taxes and Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan paid $3mn. Third on the list is superstar Hrthik Roshan, who paid $2mn followed by Aamir Khan who paid $1.3mn.
If advance tax receipts are accurate, it means that Akshay earned approximately $12mn last year, Shah Rukh Khan earned $9mn, Hrthik Roshan, $6mn and Aamir Khan, $4mn.
However, advance taxes often understate how much Bollywood stars actually pay as they are only an indication of the total income of a person. Bollywood stars have three major sources of income: (1) movies (2) endorsements (3) TV shows. And endorsements, for many, yield much more income than the movies.
Bollywood stars promote anywhere from 10 to 15 products a year and top stars make +$1mn per endorsement. Cola companies line up at the feet of Bollywood Stars with Coca-Cola and Pepsi paying top dollars for an endorsement. Not far behind, are the telecom companies who also shell out big bucks. These endorsements earn Bollywood stars more than movies.
Akshay Kumar endorses approximately 10 products at any given time. Conservatively, from his endorsements alone, Akshay makes $10mn. Add his salary from his movies, which averages $4mn per movie, and he makes an additional $12mn a year (given that he makes +3 movies a year). Finally, like many top bollywood stars, Akshay is on television. He is earning approximately $500k per episode as an anchor on the Indian version of Fear Factor. All in all, he is going to clear $20mn from the reality show for its forty episode run. That mean's Akshay's total earnings are $40mn dollars a year.
But that's not all Akshay earns in India, where Purchasing Power Parity (PPT) means that his earnings go along away. Take the standard PPT ratio of 5:1 and Akshay Kumar earns more than $200mn per year-adjusted dollars - more than any Hollywood Star.
Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan (also known as the King of Bollywood) are the two other movie stars who are doing the Bollywood trifecta: (1) movies (2) TV and (3) endorsements. A similar analysis of Shahrukh's pay would find him earning more than $50mn (in his top years). That's how the King of Bollywood can afford to pay a reported $30mn for a new house in London.
Bollywood stars aren't showing up in the Forbes list, but they should be.
Kollywood gods’ pay packs get bigger despite slump
At a time when most employees in corporate India are happy to forego salary increases just as long as they can keep their jobs, the pay
packets of top movie stars in Tamil filmdom are something of an anachronism. In 2005, Vijay was paid Rs 3 crore for starring in the hugely successful ‘Sivakasi.’ Another blockbuster followed the next year in the form of ‘Pokkiri.’
But since then, he has hit a rough patch with consecutive box-office flops in ‘Azhagiya Tamizh Magan’ (2007), ‘Kuruvi’ (2008) and ‘Villu’ (2009). If you think the actor is due for a pay cut, you are mistaken.
The ‘Ilaya Thalapathy,’ or ‘young commander’ to followers, is said to be taking home a cool Rs 6-7 crore plus distribution rights for Chennai city for his forthcoming ‘Vettaikaran,’ produced by M Balasubramaniam and B Gurunath Meyyappan. Ajith is taking a leaf out of superstar Rajnikanth’s book.
The actor, busy shooting for ‘Asal’ in Malaysia, is said be charging Rs 5-6 crore plus a 30% share in profits from the sale of rights (including, distribution, satellite and international rights) for his next movie. In an industry where top actors are few and far between and most not compromising on the pay front, producers have to select from a handful of them at the top or settle for niche actors. They can’t do much to change the situation, but at least they can grumble about it.
The main target of their ire is the production houses run by corporates, those such as Pyramid Saimira, Ayngaran International, UTV Movies and Moser Baer. They are accused of knowing little about the local market or ruling rates and spoiling the production culture in the Tamil movie industry.
“Corporates pay much higher than current market rates to secure bulk dates from artistes and technicians, artificially pushing prices northwards,” a leading producer (whose movie is set to release in the next couple of months) told ET on condition of anonymity.
He cited movies where the leading men were paid more than a fourth of the total budget only for them to flop at the box office. Some producers are of the view that actors’ current rates are exorbitant compared to the market available for Tamil films. The Tamil film industry churns out around 110-120 movies a year with a combined budget of about Rs 500 crore.
Sales are estimated at Rs 850 crore-Rs 1,000 crore, including international markets. “Salaries are very high these days. There are hardly any repeat audiences either. This, coupled with overall increase in production costs and long production schedules adds to the producer’s burden,” says K Muralidharan of Lakshmi Movie Makers, who is also secretary of the Tamil Film Producers Council.
Although the international markets, Malaysia, Singapore, US and parts of Europe, are slowing opening up to Tamil flicks, it does not justify the amounts top artistes charge these days, said another producer. Moser Baer COO C Dhananjayan, while agreeing that artiste salaries were at times “not justified for regional films,” felt they were a function of demand and supply.
Ajith, whose profit-sharing model has been welcomed by those who believe it reduces the burden on producers, thinks that how much an actor is paid “boils down to compatibility” between the negotiating parties. Vijay was not available for comment.
The Hindi movie industry, which also saw salaries for top actors skyrocketing in the past couple of years mainly due to corporates investing huge sums of money, seems to be seeing a correction.
Akshay Kumar is said to have charged Rs 30 crore for Kambakht Ishq but other A-list actors have started taking pay cuts, those aware of the situation say.
Artiste fees, that were just 10-15% of movie budgets in 2006-07, went as high as 60% in 2008. While current salary levels for Hindi film stars are rationalising at 30-35% of the budget with further scope for correction, it remains to be seen if Tamil moviedom will go the same way.
packets of top movie stars in Tamil filmdom are something of an anachronism. In 2005, Vijay was paid Rs 3 crore for starring in the hugely successful ‘Sivakasi.’ Another blockbuster followed the next year in the form of ‘Pokkiri.’
But since then, he has hit a rough patch with consecutive box-office flops in ‘Azhagiya Tamizh Magan’ (2007), ‘Kuruvi’ (2008) and ‘Villu’ (2009). If you think the actor is due for a pay cut, you are mistaken.
The ‘Ilaya Thalapathy,’ or ‘young commander’ to followers, is said to be taking home a cool Rs 6-7 crore plus distribution rights for Chennai city for his forthcoming ‘Vettaikaran,’ produced by M Balasubramaniam and B Gurunath Meyyappan. Ajith is taking a leaf out of superstar Rajnikanth’s book.
The actor, busy shooting for ‘Asal’ in Malaysia, is said be charging Rs 5-6 crore plus a 30% share in profits from the sale of rights (including, distribution, satellite and international rights) for his next movie. In an industry where top actors are few and far between and most not compromising on the pay front, producers have to select from a handful of them at the top or settle for niche actors. They can’t do much to change the situation, but at least they can grumble about it.
The main target of their ire is the production houses run by corporates, those such as Pyramid Saimira, Ayngaran International, UTV Movies and Moser Baer. They are accused of knowing little about the local market or ruling rates and spoiling the production culture in the Tamil movie industry.
“Corporates pay much higher than current market rates to secure bulk dates from artistes and technicians, artificially pushing prices northwards,” a leading producer (whose movie is set to release in the next couple of months) told ET on condition of anonymity.
He cited movies where the leading men were paid more than a fourth of the total budget only for them to flop at the box office. Some producers are of the view that actors’ current rates are exorbitant compared to the market available for Tamil films. The Tamil film industry churns out around 110-120 movies a year with a combined budget of about Rs 500 crore.
Sales are estimated at Rs 850 crore-Rs 1,000 crore, including international markets. “Salaries are very high these days. There are hardly any repeat audiences either. This, coupled with overall increase in production costs and long production schedules adds to the producer’s burden,” says K Muralidharan of Lakshmi Movie Makers, who is also secretary of the Tamil Film Producers Council.
Although the international markets, Malaysia, Singapore, US and parts of Europe, are slowing opening up to Tamil flicks, it does not justify the amounts top artistes charge these days, said another producer. Moser Baer COO C Dhananjayan, while agreeing that artiste salaries were at times “not justified for regional films,” felt they were a function of demand and supply.
Ajith, whose profit-sharing model has been welcomed by those who believe it reduces the burden on producers, thinks that how much an actor is paid “boils down to compatibility” between the negotiating parties. Vijay was not available for comment.
The Hindi movie industry, which also saw salaries for top actors skyrocketing in the past couple of years mainly due to corporates investing huge sums of money, seems to be seeing a correction.
Akshay Kumar is said to have charged Rs 30 crore for Kambakht Ishq but other A-list actors have started taking pay cuts, those aware of the situation say.
Artiste fees, that were just 10-15% of movie budgets in 2006-07, went as high as 60% in 2008. While current salary levels for Hindi film stars are rationalising at 30-35% of the budget with further scope for correction, it remains to be seen if Tamil moviedom will go the same way.
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