Akshay signs Rs 15 crore deal

Akshay signs Rs 15 crore deal

The actor clinches a four-film contract with Reliance Adlabs - Ram Kamal Mukherjee

After delivering three hits last year, Akshay Kumar's saleability quotient has evidently shot up. In fact, the most recent buzz making the rounds in distributor circles is that Akshay has been approached by Reliance Adlabs for a four-film contract that will start with Vipul Shah's next film. The tentative amount that Akshay had been offered by the Reliance Group in association with Adlabs is between Rs 15 and 18 crore.

When contacted Manmohan Shetty, CEO Adlabs confirms the news but is unable to divulge the exact amount the actor has been signed for. "Yes we are considering Akshay Kumar for a tie-up," says Shetty.

But we are still in the process of reaching a decision about the price and will be in a better position to talk about the project once he signs on the dotted line. It will be a big project," says Shetty.

An industry insider, however, sheds more light on the development of events. "They have already gone through the formalities and Akshay has agreed to be a part of this venture. They will make a formal announcement in two weeks," he says.

What's interesting is that with this deal, Bollywood will open its doors to the Studio System that is prevalent in Hollywood. In this system the production house signs stars for more than one film. Earlier Miramax had signed a contract with Tom Cruise for couple of films. Similarly Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt are also part of this system. A novel concept to Bollywood, if things work out as planned, Akshay will be the first actor to bring to Bollywood the 'Studio System'.

The four films which Akshay has agreed to work for the production house will be of his choice. Akshay will have a say in selecting the director and the kind of story he desires to work on. When contacted for his version the actor says, "It's too early to comment and I am not in a position to talk about it."

Trade Talk

Komal Nahata: Rs 15 crore is not too much for Akshay, because he has been asking for Rs 5 crore per film after the success of Garam Masala. As for the bulk film contract system, I would not comment on this trend being good or bad. This is a way for producers and corporate houses to get discounts from stars. On the flip side, you do not know how long these films will take and cannot assess the future market. You never know what the star status will be after some years. But I guess it is a calculated risk.

Vinod Mirani: Rs 15 crore is not too much for Akshay since he has hiked his price. As for the four-film contract, everyone is doing it. This sets a good precedent and works for both the producer and actor. The producer is assured of a fixed number of dates of the actor every year and the actor is assured of a fixed amount of money. If the producers do not break even in the first film, they have the other films to fall back on.

Amod Mehra: Basically with corporates coming in, there has been shortage of heroes. When we talk of heroes we talk of their saleability – these include Hrithik, the four Khans and Akshay Kumar. Aamir is difficult to get, Hrithik is impossible to sign, Saif only does Yash Chopra and his own films and SRK works only with his favourites. This only leaves Akshay in the market and hence he is being offered this price. This has put him in the highest bracket, something he deserves. Producers will however now have to do films that suit him.