Shabana Azmi is considered one of the most sought-after actresses of Hindi cinema. Azmi who was last seen ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ and ‘Ghoomer’ recently reflected on the high entourage costs of stars which add to the producer’s budget. She also spoke about the times in the 70s and 80s when actors sometimes used to wear their own clothes for the film.
Shabana also said during this interview that one has never seen something like this happening in Hollywood.The actress told Hindustan times, “I used my own clothes, used the unit’s hair and make-up person, and always stayed in the same hotel as the unit. I find it astonishing that producers pick up these crazy tabs now.”
She further elaborated that in Hollywood, this doesn’t exist. Except for the personal trainer of the actors, everyone else – from the hair dresser to the designer and make-up artists are appointed by the producer’s team. The ‘Arth’ actress recalled memories with Smita Patil on ‘Mandi’ and said, “I remember (late actor) Smita Patil and I had been given separate cars for the shooting of Mandi. In two days, we gave them up and travelled in the bus with all the actors because they were having so much fun while singing and playing silly games!” she recounts, sharing another anecdote where she bought her director an air ticket “when I realised he was travelling by train”.
Infact, in those days, actors used to support producers. “A couple of times, (late actor) Sanjeev Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha paid for the schedule, which was going to be cancelled because of funds shortage.”
