'No Staff Bills': KC Bokadia Praises Amitabh, SRK, Salman's Professionalism
Veteran filmmaker KC Bokadia urges modern actors to respect production costs, praising the professionalism of legends like Amitabh Bachchan and SRK.
In an era of lavish vanity vans and sprawling entourages, veteran filmmaker KC Bokadia is reminding the film industry of a time when simplicity and professionalism reigned supreme. In a candid conversation with ANI, Bokadia highlighted how legendary superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Rajinikanth set a gold standard by never forcing producers to foot the bill for their personal staff's expenses.
A Shift in Set Culture
Reflecting on his five-decade journey in Hindi cinema, Bokadia noted a stark contrast between the working environments of the past and the present. He recalled a time when the atmosphere on set was more communal, with actors often sitting together and sharing meals between shots. Today, however, that camaraderie has largely been replaced by isolation, as artists now prefer to spend their breaks tucked away in their private vanity vans.
Bokadia shared a heartwarming anecdote about Jackie Shroff to illustrate the grounded nature of actors from that era. During a shoot in Chennai (then Madras), the filmmaker noticed that Shroff had been assigned a double room instead of a luxury suite. When Bokadia stepped in to rectify the arrangement, Shroff remained unfazed.
"Mr Bokadia, you don't have to play cricket. It has a good bathroom. It's going well. We'll shoot all day and come at night," Shroff had reportedly replied.
The Burden of 'Vanity'
The filmmaker expressed growing concern over the escalating costs associated with modern stardom. He pointed out that some actors now demand multiple vanity vans, some even equipped with full-scale gyms, which puts immense financial pressure on the production house.
Bokadia specifically lauded the professionalism of the industry's biggest names, stating that Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Rajinikanth never expected producers to pay the salaries of their personal staff. He argued that these expenses are the responsibility of the artists themselves and should not be burdened upon the people financing the film.
'If the Producer is Alive, We are Alive'
Stressing that filmmaking is ultimately a business, Bokadia urged current actors to be more sensitive toward production costs. He warned that if the financial well-being of the film is ignored, the industry could face a dire future.
"We come and say, have mercy on the producer. Otherwise, such a day will come, the ones who will give four shoulders will also have to bring it on rent," he remarked, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and responsibility.
His message was clear: actors must recognize that their own survival in the industry is intrinsically linked to the survival of the producers. He encouraged everyone in the business to remain grounded and considerate, reminding them of the short span of life.
About KC Bokadia
KC Bokadia is a stalwart of Indian cinema with over 50 years of experience as a producer, director, and screenwriter. Having worked on more than 60 films, his portfolio includes hits such as Teri Meherbaniyan, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, and Lal Baadshah. He made his mark as a producer with Rivaaj in 1972 and debuted as a director with Aaj Ka Arjun in 1990.