'Udta Punjab': Kareena, Shahid reduced their fees for the film?
What's the story
June 17, 2016 marked the release of the pathbreaking Hindi drama, Udta Punjab. It starred A-list actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor alongside Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview with SCREEN, director Abhishek Chaubey revealed that the actors significantly reduced their fees for the film's production. He said that had they charged their regular fees, the budget would have increased beyond feasible limits.
Fee reduction
'I never thought this would be a mainstream film...'
Chaubey said, "I do believe they had reduced their fees significantly for their roles. That's how the film got made." "Alia was still new, but if Shahid and Kareena charged their market rate for this kind of a film, the budget would've gone so high that it wouldn't have been feasible." He also mentioned, "I never thought this would be a mainstream film with mainstream stars." "It was, at the end of the day, an edgy and dark film."
Industry insight
Director shares views on high star fees
Chaubey also expressed his views on high star fees, stating that they can hurt the industry. He suggested a profit-sharing model instead. "This is a lesson for the film industry now because the kind of money stars and filmmakers are taking upfront isn't justified," he said. "It's detrimental to our industry. They can become partners in the profit. That's the way to make cinema."
Film development
Chaubey on how 'Udta Punjab' idea came about
Chaubey also shared how the idea for Udta Punjab came about. He met Sudip Sharma in 2013, who suggested setting the story in Punjab. "I immediately jumped at it because Punjab is such a microcosm of the country," he said. The film highlighted the drug menace in Punjab through the lives of four people affected by substance abuse.