'Actors want diet food in the morning, drugs at night,' says former CBFC Chief, producer Pahlaj Nihalini as he slams high entourage costs

Time of India

02-07-2025

In recent times, the entourage costs of stars has become a huge topic of discussion within the industry. Most actors today, even those who are relatively new, come with their team of hairstylist, make-up artist and some reportedly even demand producers to pay for their fitness trainer.
In a recent interview, former chief of CBFC (Censor Board Of Film Certification) and producer, opened up on entourage costs. He further slammed actors for being so demanding.
He said in an interview with, Learning From The Legend podcast, 'Where one person was working now, 10 people are employed. Earlier, there used to be one vanity van, but now actors demand six vanity vans — one for exercising, one for kitchen, one for meetings.
Sharam ani chahiye un actors ko ko che vanity vans mangate hai (Actors should feel ashamed for asking for six vanity vans). Earlier only makeup man used to go with actors, now they demand a separate hairdresser and a person just to hold their mirror.
They give Rs 1.5 lakh bills for nothing. Assi Assi hazaar ka make-up chahiye. Earlier they used to bring home cooked food, but now they want diet food. They want drugs at night and diet food in the morning.'
When further probed and asked if the drug culture still exists in the industry. 'Of course it exists. Kuch actors ke toh aankhon mein hi aapko dikhega drug hi drug hai.'
In this chat, he also opened up on nepotism and said that people are here basis on their own merit. He added that a person will work only if they talent. Further giving example of Yash Chopra's son, Uday Chopra he said that despite being in the industry, he didn't work. He said further, "Politician ka beta politician hi banega na. Doctor ka beta doctor hi banega na."
Pahlaj has produced movies like 'Shola Aur Shabnam', 'Aankhein', 'Talaash' and more.