Last Updated:
Komal Nahta said that these huge entourages are a waste of money as they don'[t affect the film’s quality.

Komal Nahta is a popular Bollywood trade analyst.
The rising cost of Bollywood entourages is a topic that has been in discussion for several months now. Several filmmakers and producers have slammed actors for unnecessarily having too many people around them. Now, Komal Nahta has weighed in on the debate. He recalled how a big actor’s costume designer once charged Rs 20,000 just to fix his collar.
Speaking to Faridoon Shahryar on his YouTube channel, Komal Nahta said, “Entourage doesn’t interfere in the script of the film or its making. The negative points of entourage are the cost to the producer and the irritation value. They irritate the smooth functioning. The entourage doesn’t have the power to turn a good film into a bad one, but it is definitely a waste of money.”
Recalling an incident when a star had a massive entourage, he said, “Even for an appearance, an actor will come with 8 to 9 people. The big star came with the costume designer, social media manager, photographer, two bouncers, despite us providing security, makeup man, and hairdresser. He literally came wearing a suit, got down from the flight and reached the venue.” Komal recalled, “And the costume designer, just to justify her payment…” Komal adjusted his collar and said, “That is all she did (fixed his collar), and the organiser had to pay her Rs 20,000.”
Previously, the likes of Anurag Kashyap, Shoojit Sircar and Rajeev Masand have criticised the rising costs of Bollywood entourages. Rajeev Masand, the COO of the Dharma Cornerstone Agency, told The Hollywood Reporter India, “I do think that costs have spiralled irrationally. If hair and makeup are getting paid more than the editor of a film or the writer of a film, there’s a problem. Actors need to take a stand, but really, the ball is finally in the court of the producers. They need to unite and say we’re not going to encourage this.”
Actors like Kriti Sanon, John Abraham and Jackie Shroff have openly discussed the matter. Kriti Sanon told Bollywood Bubble, “When we talk about hair, makeup, and costume, they make the character to a large extent. Having said that, there are a lot of unnecessary entourage, which sometimes certain actors might get. We have to be mindful of it.”
John Abraham told The Hollywood Reporter India, “We can’t load a film with entourage costs as well. It’s ridiculous. Don’t know if actors are thinking this way or if it’s their agent making them think differently. I understand you are put in a bubble, but you can’t be so daft. You need to see the real world.”
While Jackie Shroff did agree that a huge entourage was not required, he also spoke for some actors who have too many people around them. In a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Jackie clarified that he usually travels with just a spotboy and believes that every actor is entitled to their preferences, but those expectations must be transparent from the get-go.

Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-…Read More
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-… Read More
Check latest Bollywood news updates, events and award shows, upcoming hindi movies releases, exclusive interviews, box office collections, reviews, trailers, and more! Download the News18 App
view comments