Veteran filmmaker KC Bokadia is calling for a major reality check in the film industry, urging contemporary stars to be more mindful of production budgets. With over five decades of experience under his belt, the director of hits like ‘Aaj Ka Arjun’ and ‘Teri Meherbaniyan’ reflected on the shifting work culture in Bollywood. He pointed out that while sets used to be communal spaces where actors shared meals, the culture has evolved into one of isolation, with stars now preferring the luxury of their vanity vans.
Bokadia took a trip down memory lane to praise the professional integrity of industry legends. He specifically highlighted Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Rajinikanth for their fair approach to production expenses. According to the veteran filmmaker, these superstars never expected producers to foot the bill for their personal staff salaries. He also fondly recalled Jackie Shroff’s humble attitude during a shoot in Chennai, where the actor was perfectly content with a standard room despite being offered more, simply because it had a decent bathroom.
Expressing concern over modern production demands, Bokadia highlighted how the rising costs of multiple vanity vans and excessive support staff are putting unnecessary financial pressure on producers. He noted that some actors now require vans equipped with high-end facilities like gyms, which significantly inflates daily shooting costs. Bokadia stressed that filmmaking is a business where the survival of the producer is intrinsically linked to the success of the industry. He urged stars to remain grounded and considerate, warning that if producers are pushed to the brink, the entire ecosystem could suffer.