Hook: Bollywood sets are meant for storytelling — not mini-armies of vanity vans — yet recent roundtable candor shows the star-entourage culture is draining producers and distracting from the craft[5]. The debate in brief - Actors Dhruv Vikram, Kriti Sanon, Vicky Kaushal and Ishaan Khatter joined a roundtable discussion about rising entourage demands and their cost burden on films[5][6]. - Dhruv Vikram called the report of "six vans for one person" *ridiculous*[5]. - Kriti Sanon argued the solution isn't one-sided: *actors, producers and entourages* must jointly cut what's unnecessary, distinguishing between film-essential support and personal luxury[6][5]. - Vicky Kaushal noted practical needs (for example, an on-set gym when training windows are tight) can be legitimate, but anything that financially burdens a film should be corrected[6]. - Ishaan Khatter recalled simpler experiences — even doing his own laundry and cooking on an international set — to highlight how pampering is not a given everywhere[5][7]. Why this matters to the industry - Rising entourage costs inflate production budgets and increase financial pressure on producers, especially when those costs don't add value to the on-screen product[3][1]. - The controversy has drawn comment from filmmakers and industry elders who argue actors or their teams should shoulder personal luxuries, or at least be transparent about what's essential to the film[2][1]. - When entitlement becomes standard, it can widen the gap between established stars and working technicians/producers, undermining collaborative trust on set[3][2]. Practical ways to move forward - Define "essential" vs "personal": Producers and talent can agree in contracts which support staff (trainers, nutritionists, medical staff) are production-funded because they directly affect performance, and which are personal expenses[6]. - Transparent budgeting: Itemize entourage-related line items in pre-production budgets so any extra requests are visible and negotiable. - Propose a cap or tiered allowance: A mutually agreed cap (with exceptions for action-heavy shoots or specific requirements) can reduce surprise costs. - Encourage responsibility from stars: Public pledges — like other actors have made to cover certain entourage costs themselves — can set constructive examples[1]. - On-set efficiency: Centralizing shared facilities (one well-equipped vanity van, a communal gym space) can serve multiple cast members without excess duplication. A few counterpoints to consider - Some entourage elements are legitimately performance-related (nutritionists for body transformations, physiotherapists for stunts), and removing them could harm the final film[6]. - Industry norms vary globally; what's standard on one set may seem lavish on another, so context matters when judging demands[7]. A storytelling lens: culture, optics, and craft This debate isn't only about money — it's about the kind of ecosystem Bollywood wants to foster. Do we prioritize spectacle and celebrity comfort, or do we re-center storytelling, craft, and equitable production practices? The most sustainable path likely lies in compromise: preserving what's needed for performance while trimming what's merely prestige. Embed (free) relevant image in HTML
Call to action What do you think — should actors be required to cover personal entourage costs, or should producers accommodate reasonable requests? Share your view in the comments below and pass this post to someone in the film business who ought to join the conversation.Citations
1.https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/harshvardhan-rane-reacts-to-aamir-khans-concerns-promises-to-pay-for-his-own-entourage-costs-101758117907563.html
2.https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/sandeep-khosla-bollywood-stars-70280
3.https://economictimes.com/magazines/panache/famous-bollywood-actor-couple-asks-for-11-vans-including-separate-kitchens-on-set-reveals-sanjay-gupta-what-purpose-the-vans-are-used-for/articleshow/123844036.cms
4.https://www.pinkvilla.com/cinema/entourage-in-bollywood-debate-vicky-kaushal-says-need-a-gym-on-set-dhruv-vikram-calls-6-vanity-demand-ridiculous-1399229
5.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/six-vans-for-one-person-ridiculous-says-dhruv-vikram-about-the-entourage-costs-demands-of-actors-in-bollywood-ishaan-khatter-recalls-doing-his-own-laundry-cooking-on-a-hollywood-set/articleshow/126064619.cms
6.https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/kriti-sanon-vicky-kaushal-on-entourage-culture-costs
7.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/ridiculous-dhruv-vikram-reacts-to-bollywood-star-arriving-on-set-with-6-vanity-vans-ishaan-khatter-says-did-own-laundry-on-hollywood-set-10426859/
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