Veteran filmmaker KC Bokadia has weighed in on one of Bollywood’s most debated issues today the soaring cost of making films. Known for producing and directing classics like Aaj Ka Arjun and Lal Baadshah, Bokadia believes that the growing “vanity culture” among actors is putting immense financial pressure on producers. While discussing the industry’s changing work culture, he also praised Amitabh Bachchan for setting an example of professionalism and humility.
In a recent interview, Bokadia expressed concern over the massive fees charged by today’s stars. According to him, leading actors now demand anywhere between Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore for a single film, making it increasingly difficult for producers to recover their investments.
However, it wasn’t just the remuneration that concerned him. Bokadia pointed to the growing entourage culture on film sets, claiming that actors often arrive with large personal teams that require multiple vanity vans and additional logistical arrangements. He said these hidden expenses significantly inflate a film’s production budget even before shooting gathers momentum.
The veteran producer urged the younger generation of actors to focus more on their performances rather than maintaining lavish lifestyles on set. He also advised them to stay connected with Indian audiences instead of trying to imitate Hollywood trends. According to Bokadia, films should reflect Indian stories and emotions rather than blindly following Western filmmaking styles.
While criticising current industry practices, Bokadia highlighted Amitabh Bachchan as the complete opposite. Recalling his long association with the megastar, he revealed that Bachchan never expected producers to bear his personal expenses.
“Mr. Bachchan never took even a single rupee for these expenses,” Bokadia said, describing the veteran actor as one of the most disciplined and considerate stars he has worked with.
Bokadia also shared an interesting anecdote from their professional journey together. He revealed that he became the first producer in Indian cinema to pay Amitabh Bachchan a fee of Rs 1 crore. At the time, Bachchan was reportedly charging around Rs 70 lakh, later asking for Rs 80 lakh. Bokadia instead insisted that a superstar of Bachchan’s stature deserved to be paid Rs 1 crore.
The gesture, he recalled, strengthened their relationship. Bokadia claimed that Bachchan later voluntarily reduced his remuneration back to Rs 70 lakh for subsequent collaborations in order to support his productions.
Bokadia’s comments come at a time when several industry personalities have voiced concerns about escalating production costs and the financial burden created by large entourages. As Bollywood continues to grapple with rising budgets and inconsistent box office returns, his remarks have reignited the conversation about balancing star power with responsible filmmaking.
Whether one agrees with his views or not, Bokadia’s comparison between Bollywood’s past and present has once again sparked debate over whether simplicity and professionalism have taken a back seat in today’s film industry.
