Bollywood’s Budget Battle: The Soaring Cost of Stardom
The Indian film industry, particularly Bollywood, has recently found itself at a critical juncture. Following a period of fluctuating box office returns, intense scrutiny has fallen upon the escalating costs associated with film production. A significant part of this conversation revolves around the often-exorbitant expenses incurred by a film star’s entourage, raising questions about financial viability and impact on a project’s overall budget. However, veteran actor Puneet Issar recently shed light on an intriguing aspect of this debate, recalling how superstar Sunny Deol has, for decades, navigated his on-set requirements with a distinctive approach.
Puneet Issar Unveils Sunny Deol’s Royal On-Set Lifestyle
Puneet Issar, known for his roles in iconic films, offered a fascinating glimpse into Sunny Deol’s travel habits, dating back to the late 1990s. During an candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his popular YouTube channel, Issar reminisced about their time filming the 1997 blockbuster “Border.” Even back then, Deol commanded an entourage that Issar described as “king-like,” a tradition that appears to have remained consistent throughout his illustrious career.
A King’s Entourage: Gyms, Cooks, and More on Wheels
Issar detailed the extent of Deol’s personal provisions, painting a picture of an actor who prioritizes his regimen regardless of location. “Sunny is a king, he travels like a king,” Issar stated, elaborating on the sheer scale of the arrangements. “His entire entourage accompanies him. His personal cooks will be there, a badminton court might even be set up, and the entire gym equipment will travel with him.” This implies a dedicated pursuit of fitness and specific dietary needs, requiring a substantial logistical setup – sometimes even a full-sized truck dedicated to his personal gear. Issar humorously added that Deol would even offer space for others’ belongings, given the vast capacity of his personal transport.
The Deol Difference: Self-Funded Splendor?
What sets Sunny Deol apart, according to Puneet Issar, is his reported financial responsibility for these extensive arrangements. While the industry grapples with inflated star fees and entourage costs burdening producers, Issar claimed that Deol does not charge these “royal” expenses back to the film’s budget. “I don’t think Sunny would put the bill on the producer,” Issar emphasized, reiterating his earlier description: “That’s why I said, he is a king.” This self-funded approach, Issar suggested, is also mirrored by other major stars like Salman Khan, who similarly consider these provisions essential for their lifestyle and professional demands.
Beyond Sunny: A Legacy of Star Power and Personal Staff
Issar also provided historical context, pointing out that the concept of a substantial personal entourage is not new to Bollywood. He recalled a time when industry legends like Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, and Dilip Kumar also commanded significant personal staff. This suggests a long-standing tradition where actors of a certain stature naturally accumulated a team to manage their demanding schedules and personal well-being, reflecting the era’s understanding of star power and the unique requirements of their profession.
The Industry’s Reckoning: Extravagance vs. Production
The current dialogue around star expenses has been amplified by voices like director Anurag Kashyap, who has vocally criticized the “paraphernalia” surrounding film productions. Kashyap highlighted how substantial sums are diverted away from the core filmmaking process itself, instead being spent on luxurious comforts for stars. He cited examples like a car being dispatched hours away to retrieve a specific “five-star burger” for an actor, emphasizing that film sets are “not a holiday, it’s not a picnic.” This sharp contrast underscores the industry’s ongoing struggle to balance star demands with sustainable budgeting, making Sunny Deol’s purported self-funded approach a notable exception in the prevailing narrative.
