RANBIR hikes up his price after Rockstar

The jury may still be out on the fate of Rockstar but the hero of the film has received unqualified acclaim. Now, Ranbir Kapoor, 29, who often declared that actors were an overpaid lot, has decided to up his price in the time-honoured fashion.

Word from close quarters is that the actor-star is mulling a steep hike when producers approach him for fresh projects. At present Ranbir is shooting for Anurag Basu's Barfee and is slated to go straight into friend Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani for both of which he is charging around Rs eight crore. But for all of those wanting to sign him for fresh projects be prepared to loosen the purse strings. Ranbir's asking price is reportedly going to be around Rs 15 crore.

At present the three Khans charge about 27 crore a film in addition to sharing profits. So Shah Rukh Khan is billed as the co-producer for Don 2. Closer to him in age and stature Hrithik Roshan also charges just under 20 crore.

Talk of Ranbir's proposed hike has raised quite a few eyebrows in the industry, especially considering the fact that Rockstar figures have still to be evaluated. Producers Eros International claim the film has recorded a hugely successful opening weekend collection of Rs 64 crore gross worldwide. What is noteworthy is that post Rockstar most corporate houses have started vying for Ranbir for their forthcoming ventures.

"Ranbir is in a very happy space now. While Rockstar has not been appreciated by a certain section of the audience, there is a clear section which has lapped up the film and Ranbir's stupendous performance."

Few actors in recent times have dared to jack up their asking price so early in their careers. For instance, Ajay Devgn for the longest time charged around 6-8 crore and only after the spate of his recent success took his price to Rs 18 crore. But trade analyst Amod Mehra defends Ranbir's decision saying, "He is justified in hiking his price to whatever he is demanding. Post Rockstar, the boy is set. Frankly, he has now become a superstar."

Ranbir did not revert to our queries texted to him.