‘Have Mercy on Producers’: KC Bokadia Praises Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan Over Entourage Costs

Veteran filmmaker KC Bokadia has called on actors to show greater consideration towards film producers amid the growing debate over rising entourage costs in Bollywood. Praising Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Rajinikanth for their professionalism, Bokadia said they never expected producers to pay the salaries of their personal staff.

In an interview with ANI, the filmmaker urged today’s actors to follow their example and take responsibility for their own teams. He also criticised the growing demands for multiple vanity vans and expensive facilities, saying such expenses add to the financial pressure on producers.

KC Bokadia Recalls Jackie Shroff’s Simple Approach

Bokadia also recalled an incident involving actor Jackie Shroff during a shoot in Chennai, then known as Madras. He said he once intervened after noticing that the actor had been given a double room instead of a suite.

However, Shroff was not concerned about the accommodation and did not make an issue of it, Bokadia recalled.

The filmmaker contrasted this approach with what he described as the demands made by some actors today, including requests for four to 10 vanity vans for different purposes.

‘Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh, Salman Never Made Producers Pay’

Praising some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, Bokadia said actors should learn from their example.

“Amitabh Bachchan never took the salary of his staff. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rajinikanth, all of them... They never made producers pay their staff. At least reach their level and show their level of grace,” he said.

He urged actors to pay their personal staff themselves instead of placing the responsibility on producers.

Filmmaker Raises Concern Over Rising Crew Costs

Bokadia also expressed concern over the fees charged by crew members, saying even people handling routine tasks were reportedly demanding high daily payments.

“We have heard that even someone who just makes tea and a manager charge ₹1.5 lakh a day. People charge ₹1–2 lakh for a day's shoot. Nobody charges less than ₹50,000 these days,” he said.

He added that some crew members also insist on specialised vanity vans, including those equipped with gym facilities, rather than basic vehicles.

“Please have some mercy on the producer,” Bokadia said, warning that the rising costs could make film production increasingly difficult.

Who Is KC Bokadia?

KC Bokadia is a veteran Hindi film director and producer who has worked in the industry across the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He has collaborated with leading actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Rajinikanth and Jeetendra.

His notable directorial films include Aaj Ka Arjun, Phool Bane Angaray, Tyagi, Insaniyat Ke Devta, Shaktiman, Khuda Kasam, Lal Baadshah and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam.