Producer Shailendra Singh Labels Akshay Kumar as 'Businessman First, Actor Later' in Explosive Interview
In a recent candid conversation, veteran film producer Shailendra Singh has made startling claims about Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, describing him as a "money-minded" individual who prioritizes business over artistry. Singh, known for producing acclaimed films such as Dor, Page 3, and Malaamaal Weekly, revealed that his collaboration with Akshay on the 2009 film 8 X 10 Tasveer led to significant financial losses and ultimately forced him to shut down his production studio.
Financial Fallout from '8 X 10 Tasveer'
Shailendra Singh disclosed that the film, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, was initially budgeted at Rs 30-35 crore and planned to be shot in Munnar. However, due to Akshay Kumar's hectic schedule, the production was relocated multiple times, including to Calgary in Canada and Cape Town in South Africa, escalating costs dramatically. Singh asserted that the film eventually incurred a staggering loss of Rs 85 crore upon its release, which he attributed to poor box office performance.
Following the film's failure, Singh approached Akshay Kumar, requesting a partial refund of his fee, arguing that the actor should take responsibility for the financial debacle. "I told Akshay, 'Bro, nobody came to watch your film. You have to take some responsibility for this because you took a lot of money from me for this film,'" Singh recalled. Despite his appeals, Akshay reportedly refused to return any amount, leading Singh to cease filmmaking activities altogether.
Akshay Kumar's Alleged Fee Inflation Strategy
Shailendra Singh further elaborated on Akshay Kumar's business acumen, alleging that the actor employs a gradual fee inflation strategy. He provided a hypothetical example, stating that Akshay might start with a fee of Rs 15 crore, incrementally increase it to Rs 21 crore, then Rs 27 crore, and leverage his lucky number 9 to push it to Rs 36 crore. "He knows business. He is a businessman first then an actor," Singh emphasized, highlighting instances like paying Akshay Rs 9 crore for a single song in the animated film Jumbo.
Broader Industry Insights and Comparisons
Singh also touched upon his experiences with other actors, noting that John Abraham similarly did not refund his fee after their film Aashayein bombed at the box office. Additionally, he recounted a dispute over the title Singh Is Kinng, which he originally pitched to Akshay. After the film's success, Singh had to legally battle to reclaim the title, citing a lack of decency from the makers. He mentioned that when he planned to use the title for a project with Ranveer Singh, Akshay restricted it to an OTT series only.
Akshay Kumar's Defense on Being 'Money-Minded'
This is not the first time Akshay Kumar has faced accusations of being overly focused on finances. In a past appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, he defended himself, stating, "Agar paisa kamaya hai toh loot ke nahi kamaya. Maine kaam karke kamaya hai. 8 saal se I have been the highest taxpayer... Toh, it cannot be that I am money-minded or anything. Money is an important aspect in life, you have to be practical." His response underscores the ongoing debate about financial pragmatism versus artistic integrity in the film industry.
The revelations from Shailendra Singh shed light on the complex dynamics between producers and top-tier actors in Bollywood, raising questions about accountability and financial ethics in high-stakes film projects.
