Renuka Shahane opens up on the entourage obsession of Bollywood stars: ‘If you can afford it, then they are doing it'

Time of India

02-07-2025

The entourage debate is one of the most talked about discussions in the last few years. Many people have criticised the costs involved as Bollywood stars bring in their entourage for every project.
John Abraham
had once called it 'mental' that a stlyist gets paid Rs 2 lakh per day. As this debate grows, now
Renuka Shahane
of 'Hum Aapke Hai Koun..' has also reflected on it. She believes that it happens only when a producer has agreed and can afford it. Or else, the producer can always say no and the star can decide if they want to still do the film.
She said in an interview with IANS, 'I think the culture has changed because there are so many mediums and media today to kind of explore yourself as an actor.
So, if you are a huge star, for instance, then there are people who are managing your social media. There are people who are separately managing your social media ads, separately managing your proper TVC ads. Then there are others who are managing your costumes and, you know, that kind of collaboration.
"
She added, 'And that's why, you know, there's a division of labor. Therefore, there are that many people. And those many people can only exist if it's commercially viable for the people paying."
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Renuka who has also turned director, further explained, 'So, it's not as if one fine day the star gets up and says, Oh, I need ten people instead of one. If there are ten people with the star and if the producer has, you know, feels that it is important that the star feels comfortable and I'm willing to pay that much for the star's entourage, then they'll invest in it or they'll compromise and say that, Listen, we can only handle five people on the set, not more than five.
So, I think that, you know, it's not something that someone is doing it forcefully."
She added, 'If you can afford it, then they are doing it. Those who can't afford it—if you can't afford it, the star might put their foot down and say, Listen, I'd rather not do your project because I need my staff with me. Or they'll say, Okay, I'll compromise for this project, or I'll do it."
Shahane mentioned further, 'You know, so I think that one should judge people that, oh, such a big entourage used to manage before. There weren't so many avenues that used the star, you know, in terms of the commercial prospects. So, I feel that one should also be more kind. You know, we generally judge that they have a lot. So, we are quick to judge. But I think that it's a matter of comfort.'
Renuka's latest work is 'Loop Line' which is an animated Marathi short film.