Veteran actor Shabana Azmi recently expressed her astonishment at the rising costs of film production, particularly pointing out the large entourages that many contemporary actors maintain. In an era where film budgets are under intense scrutiny, Azmi’s reflections offer a stark contrast to the simplicity of the 1980s. She highlights that in Hollywood, producers have more control over the crew, usually appointing the main dress designer, hairdresser, and makeup artist themselves, without the need for actors to bring their personal staff.
Azmi recalls a time when her own entourage was minimal. “During the 1970s and 1980s, I only had a three-member team—a hairdresser, a makeup artist, and the driver. In low-budget films, we had nobody. At the most, the unit makeup man and hairdresser,” she shares. This frugality extended to her wardrobe and accommodations as well. For projects with limited budgets, Azmi used her own clothes, relied on the unit’s hair and makeup person, and always stayed in the same hotel as the rest of the crew.
Comparing Then and Now
Azmi’s experiences offer a sharp contrast to today’s industry standards, where actors often have a large team accompanying them. She recounts traveling by bus instead of luxury cars and enjoying the camaraderie with fellow actors. She fondly remembers the shooting days of her 1983 film “Mandi,” where she and the late actor Smita Patil chose to travel by bus with the rest of the cast instead of using separate cars. “In two days, we gave them up and traveled in the bus with all the actors because they were having so much fun while singing and playing silly games!” she recalls.
The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of these earlier days highlight the stark difference from today’s industry, where high budgets and large entourages have become the norm. Recently, various film bodies, including the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association and the Producers Guild Association, met with leading talent management agencies to discuss the escalating movie budgets. One of the main areas of concern was the size of actors’ personal teams and the resulting expenses that producers have to bear.
Support from Actors and Producers
Azmi also reflects on the supportive nature of the film industry in her time. She recalls an incident where she bought an air ticket for her director when she realized he was traveling by train. Furthermore, she mentions that actors like the late Sanjeev Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha would occasionally cover costs to prevent a shoot from being canceled due to a lack of funds. “A couple of times, Sanjeev Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha paid for the schedule, which was going to be canceled because of funds shortage,” she shares.
These anecdotes not only emphasize the cost-conscious approach of the past but also highlight the sense of camaraderie and mutual support that characterized the industry. Shabana Azmi’s reflections serve as a reminder of a more economical and cooperative era in Bollywood, contrasting sharply with the high-cost, high-maintenance norms of today.