Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn address row over entourage cost in Bollywood; reveal stars often 'don't get any money'

Akshay Kumar's movie, 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' had sparked serious controversies and heated debates about star remuneration and the soaring costs of maintaining their entourages. The actor, along with Ajay Devgn, recently addressed the row over entourage cost in Bollywood.
At the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024, when asked about inflated budgets and star fees, Ajay explained that actors' charges depend on the script, film, and project. He added that most actors set their fees based on the film's recovery potential.

Akshay agreed with Ajay, explaining that when they sign a film, they often don’t charge a fee upfront but instead take a stake in the project. If the film succeeds, they share in the profits; if it fails, they don’t earn anything. He added that sometimes, there’s no share at all, and actors must let go of their fees, which is part of the passion for the work.

During the summit, Ajay Devgn criticized Bollywood for its lack of unity, especially compared to the South film industry, where actors support each other. While Akshay Kumar agreed, Ajay emphasized that Bollywood's top stars, like him, Akshay, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, maintain strong, conflict-free relationships.
Ajay also revealed that he's working on his next directorial project, which will also star Akshay Kumar. He shared that they were planning to announce it later but decided to reveal it at the summit. Akshay expressed excitement about being directed by Ajay in the film.