Mumbai: Former Bollywood producer Shailendra Singh recently rekindled discussion on Akshay Kumar’s money-minded image, alleging that the actor had hiked his fee and refused to compromise even after delivering a flop.
Shailendra further claimed that Akshay is a businessman first and actor later as he never compromises with his fees, irrespective of the film’s box-office performance.
In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, sharing his experience of working with Akshay on the 2009 film ‘8 x 10 Tasveer’, Shailendra revealed that he quit filmmaking after the movie — made on a budget of Rs 85 crore — bombed at the box office, but Akshay never compromised with his fee.
Clarifying that his comments were not because of any personal bitterness, the producer called Akshay a ‘lovely guy’ with whom he shared a friendly equation, and often played sports together.
“When I got the opportunity to make a film with him, I was happy,” the producer said, recalling that both Akshay and the film’s director Nagesh were riding high on success at that time.
Shailendra further revealed that the film was initially planned on a modest budget of Rs 30–35 crore and was meant to be shot in Munnar. But because of Akshay’s packed schedule, the plan had to be changed.
“From Munnar, we went to Calgary, then Cape Town, then several other places,” he said, adding that this inflated the budget.
The film was released after Akshay’s blockbuster ‘Singh Is Kinng’, but turned out to be a flop show.
The producer disclosed that after the losses, he approached Akshay requesting a partial refund of his fee.
“I told him, ‘Bro, nobody came to watch your film. You have to take some responsibility. You took a lot of money from me’,” the producer recalled.
“I didn’t get anything back. After that, I stopped making films,” he added.
Explaining how strategic Akshay is when it comes to money, Shailendra said, “He starts slow, then increases his quote step by step. Rs 15 crore becomes Rs 21 crore, then Rs 27 crore, then suddenly it’s Rs 36 crore because of his lucky number 9. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He is a businessman first, then an actor.”
Addressing accusations of being money-minded on the show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, Akshay defended himself saying, “If I’ve earned money, I haven’t looted anyone. I’ve earned it by working. For eight years, I’ve been the highest taxpayer. Money is important in life, you have to be practical.”
