Pahlaj Nihalani says ‘actors want diet food in the morning, drugs at night'; recalls Akshay Kumar forcing Kareena Kapoor's casting: ‘Pay me what you want but…'

Indian Express

3 days ago

Filmmaker and former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani recently shared his thoughts on the rising entourage costs of actors and recalled the time when Akshay Kumar interfered in the casting of the 2003 film Talaash: The Hunt Begins, insisting on casting Kareena Kapoor in the lead role.
Speaking on the YouTube channel Learn From The Legend, Pahlaj admitted that he wasn't used to actors determining a film's casting, as he had only ever seen producers and directors taking those decisions. However, he said that times have changed, and today's actors often dictate not just the cast but also the choice of directors. He shared an example from his own experience during the making of Talaash, when Akshay insisted on casting Kareena.
He said, 'Earlier, producers and directors used to cast and heroes wouldn't interfere in casting. The first actor to interfere in casting with me was Akshay Kumar in Talash in 2002. He told me that 'we can start the movie tomorrow, and you can give me any amount that you want, but the heroine of this film will be Kareena Kapoor.' It was one of the most costly film of that time, it was made in Rs 22 crore. This was the first time in my career that an actor had demanded a certain cast.'
Pahlaj shared that Akshay insisted on casting Kareena because he wanted to star opposite a younger actor. 'Sometimes, as the actors grow old they want to star against younger actresses so that their own age looks less. That was the first time I heard that, but these days actors decide everything and producers work as a courier service.'
The veteran filmmaker also shared his disapproval of the growing entourage expenses that have become a hot topic in the Hindi film industry. According to Pahlaj, the current working culture has become bloated with unnecessary demands and vanity.
He said, 'Where one person was working now 10 people are employed. Earlier, there used to be one vanity van, but now actors demand six vanity vans — one for exercising, one for kitchen, one for meetings. Sharam ani chahiye un actors ko ko che vanity vans mangate hai (Actors feel ashamed for asking for 6 vanity vans). Earlier only makeup man used to go with actors, now they demand a separate hairdresser and a person just to hold their mirror. They give Rs 1.5 lakh bills for nothing. Earlier they used to bring home cooked food, but now they want diet food. They want drugs at night and diet food in the morning.'