Veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has strongly dismissed rumors suggesting his son, actor Ahan Shetty, incurs excessive entourage costs during film productions. In a recent interview, Suniel not only defended Ahan's professionalism but also shared his own frugal practices, including bringing food and water from home to sets.
Suniel Shetty Defends Ahan Against Entourage Allegations
Amid speculation that Ahan Shetty was removed from Sajid Nadiadwala's project Sanki due to high entourage expenses, Suniel Shetty has come forward to set the record straight. The actor emphasized that Ahan has always been mindful of his entourage and has never gone overboard with demands.
'These Are All Rumors,' Says Suniel
During a candid conversation with Lehren Retro, Suniel Shetty addressed the gossip head-on. "Ahan has never gone overboard with his entourage. These are all rumors. This gossip was circulated as per the producer's convenience," he stated firmly. He challenged producers to provide evidence, saying, "If the producer says that he can show a bill, then I will see. There the father steps in and will step in, very very clearly."
Suniel's Personal Approach to Entourage Costs
To illustrate his point about responsible spending, Suniel revealed his own habits on film sets. He mentioned that he instructs his staff to avoid ordering food externally unless absolutely necessary, and if they do, the bills should be under his name, not the producer's. "When Suniel Shetty takes his food and water from home… my staff has been told that if you are eating the unit's food then it's fine, but if you want to order from outside, put the bill under my name and not the producer," he explained.
Ahan's Career and Industry Integration
Suniel highlighted that Ahan, who recently starred in the successful war drama Border 2 after his debut in Tadap (2021), is still settling into the industry. He asserted that Ahan's staff follows strict guidelines, and there is no room for tantrums. "Ahan has just arrived, this is his time to settling into the industry, so there are no tantrums. Ho hi nahi sakta (it's not possible)," Suniel added.
The Broader Issue of Bollywood Entourage Costs
Entourage costs have become a significant concern in the Hindi film industry, with actors often billing producers for staff expenses and demanding multiple vanity vans. The issue gained attention when Ahan Shetty's high-budget action-thriller with Sajid Nadiadwala was reportedly put on hold due to high production costs, including entourage expenses and challenging market conditions.
Industry Perspectives on Entourage Expenses
Other Bollywood figures have also weighed in on this topic. Producer Karan Johar previously expressed his views, stating, "I have an ethical problem with entourages, not a financial one. We set a fixed budget for such needs. But if an actor wants anything beyond that, be it a personal trainer or specific dietary requirements, they should cover the cost themselves." Johar emphasized that producers should only pay for essentials directly related to the film's requirements.
Suniel's Philosophy on Actor Fees and Partnerships
In the same interview, Suniel Shetty discussed the rationale behind high actor fees, suggesting that stars should become partners in their films. He argued that if actors charge substantial amounts, they should share in the film's risks and rewards. "My point is that you should charge that much, but join the film as a partner. Take a share," he said. Suniel believes this approach ensures actors are more invested in the project's success, considering factors like marketing, timing, and artist combinations.
Suniel Shetty's comments shed light on the ongoing debate about entourage costs in Bollywood, while reaffirming his and Ahan's commitment to ethical practices in the film industry.
