BANG FOR YOUR BUCK?
Who deserves a pay hike and who deserves a cut? We get the experts to evaluate the stars
The on-going T20 tournament has changed the way cricketers are judged and paid. Their recent performances determines how much they make in an edition of the league. So, if cricketers can face such tough evaluation, why not the other group of celebrities who also take home handsome pay packets — Bollywood actors?
"Actors raise their prices after delivering hits, but the concept of a pay cut doesn't exist," says trade analyst Komal Nahta. So we got a team of five top Bollywood trade experts — Taran Adarsh, Vinod Mirani, Vikas Mohan, Amod Mehra and Komal — to suggest pay hikes and cuts for the stars, depending on their performances (box office collections and critical appreciation) over the last financial year.
No raises no cuts
SALMAN KHAN
FEE: R25 crore RECENT FILMS: Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg 2 (both 2012) WHAT'S THE DEAL: In the last one-and-a-half years, the man with the Midas touch has lived up to expectations by delivering two back-to-back R100 crore hits. EXPERT VERDICT: Right now, he is the box-office superstar and is already being paid well. So there's no reason for him to get more money or get a cut.
AAMIR KHAN
FEE: R35-R40 crore (including share in profits)
RECENT FILMS: Talaash (2012) WHAT'S THE DEAL: Last year may not have been that great for Aamir with Talaash, but nothing has affected his brand value. All eyes are now on his next two next biggies — Dhoom:3 and P.K. EXPERT VERDICT: Aamir is in a different league, but he already takes away a big paycheque in the form of salary and profit share. So, he is fine with whatever money he is getting.
SHAH RUKH KHAN
FEE: R25 crore (including share in profits)
RECENT FILMS: Don 2: The Chase Continues (2011), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
WHAT'S THE DEAL: Although his last release, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, was a success, SRK hasn't been delivering blockbusters like he used to a few years ago. EXPERT VERDICT: Over the past couple of years, Shah Rukh has been inconsistent with his performances as well as the result of his films. Purely going by his last few films, you can't suggest either a pay cut or a raise.
AKSHAY KUMAR
FEE: R24-R25 crore RECENT FILMS: Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore, OMG: Oh My God! (all 2012), Special 26
WHAT'S THE DEAL: He's always had one of the fattest paycheques in Bollywood, but after a string of hits, he now justifies it more than ever. EXPERT VERDICT: Akshay is justifying his current remuneration. He knows the pulse of the audiences but there's no need for a pay raise.
DEEPIKA PADUKONE
FEE: R2.5-R3 crore RECENT FILMS: Cocktail (2012), Race 2 WHAT'S THE DEAL: After Cocktail and a recent R100 crore hit in Race 2, Deepika has emerged as a bankable star at the box office. Plus, her performance in Cocktail has received accolades. EXPERT VERDICT: There's no doubt that Deepika has grown as an actor. But she doesn't need any more zeroes in her paycheque right now.
FEE: R7- R8 crore
RECENT FILMS: Teri Meri Kahaani (2012), Mausam (2011)
WHAT'S THE DEAL: His last release Teri Meri Kahaani – didn't rock the box office as it should have, but his performance in the movies hasn't really gone under the scanner.
EXPERT VERDICT: He is an actor who has proved his worth at the box office. So if he doesn't deserve a raise, Shahid shouldn't get a pay cut either.
EMRAAN HASHMI
FEE: R10 crore
RECENT FILMS: Jannat 2, Shanghai, Raaz 3D (all 2012), Ek Thi Daayan
WHAT'S THE DEAL: In the last one year, he has delivered back-toback hits. From being tagged as a serial kisser to doing A-list films with Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor, he has come a long way.
EXPERT VERDICT: Undoubtedly, Emraan is emerging as a force to reckon with. But he has just raised his price, so he is okay with his pay-cheque.
KATRINA KAIF
FEE: R3.5- R4 crore RECENT FILMS: Ek Tha Tiger, Jab Tak Hai Jaan (all 2012)
WHAT'S THE DEAL: Although Kat has been very choosy of late; she has been part of two of the biggest hits starring two big Khans — Salman and Shah Rukh.
EXPERT VERDICT: Katrina is good at what she knows best — being part of big and glossy films. She is already among the highest paid actresses, so she's fine.
AJAY DEVGN
FEE: R14- R15 crore
RECENT FILMS: Bol Bachchan, Son Of Sardaar (both 2012), Himmatwala
WHAT'S THE DEAL: Barring his latest release, Himmatwala, Ajay – in the past year – has been a big box-office winner with Bol Bachchan and Son Of
Sardaar. The future too looks promising with Singham 2 on the anvil.
EXPERT VERDICT: You can expect quality work from him, so his current pay cheque is justified.
ABHISHEK BACHCHAN
FEE: R8 crore
RECENT FILMS: Bol Bachchan
(both 2012)
WHAT'S THE DEAL: His last release, Bol Bachchan, was a R100 crore hit, and his performance in a double role was also appreciated.
EXPERT VERDICT: He has the talent, but Abhishek needs to capitalise on his strengths. So he doesn't deserves a pay cut or a raise.
KAREENA KAPOOR
FEE: R3- 4 crore RECENT FILMS: Heroine, Talaash (both 2012)
WHAT'S THE DEAL:
Over the past one
year, Kareena's films have failed at the box office.
EXPERT VERDICT: Although she has been part of three consecutive duds, she doesn't deserve a pay cut. At the same time, she doesn't deserve a hike either.
ANUSHKA SHARMA
FEE: R1- R1.5 crore
RECENT FILMS: Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
WHAT'S THE DEAL: The last one year has been a mixed bag for Anushka with success in the form of late Yash Chopra's Jab Tak Hai Jaan, followed by the dud Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.
EXPERT VERDICT: Anushka is at a very interesting juncture in her career with some big releases lined up. At this point, she doesn't need a pay raise, but she also doesn't deserve a pay cut. *All figures are based on trade estimates
Other big stars in the league…
HRITHIK ROSHAN: Of late, he has delivered back-to-back hits like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Agneepath (2012), Hrithik — who has Krrish 3 coming up — deserves a raise.
FARHAN AKHTAR: Although he is very choosy about his films (the last one being Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, 2011), Farhan deserves a pay raise for the sheer hard work he puts into his films.
VIDYA BALAN: She is surely on the top of the heap among female stars after her last two films — The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012) — became hits and won several awards. She could use a raise.
SAIF ALI KHAN
FEE: R10-R12 crore RECENT FILMS: Cocktail, Race 2
(both 2012)
WHAT'S THE DEAL: He might have delivered back-to-back hits, but Saif somehow hasn't shown a complete command over his films — like he did in Race (2008) and Love Aaj Kal (2009) — of late. Agent Vinod's (2012) box office results are no secret.
EXPERT VERDICT: He is a decent actor, but you can't rest on your laurels forever. At this point, he deserves a pay cut because he
clearly seems overpaid.
Cut their pay
JOHN ABRAHAM
FEE: R6- R7 crore
RECENT FILMS: Housefull 2 (2012), Race 2, I Me Aur Main
WHAT'S THE DEAL: Although he has been part of hits, he hasn't delivered a solo success in a long time. Now a lot depends on his next release, Shootout At Wadala.
EXPERT VERDICT: John is good only in multi-hero projects, After his last film's terrible box office performance, he will rightly deserve a pay cut.
VIVEK OBEROI
FEE: R3- R4 crore RECENT FILMS: Kismet Love Paisa Dilli (2012), Zila Ghaziabad, Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story
WHAT'S THE DEAL: The last year has seen Vivek delivering back-to-back box office duds. Now, a lot depends on his upcoming comedy, Grand Masti, a sequel to the 2004 hit, Masti.
EXPERT VERDICT: Ideally, he should pay the producers to sign up for films. He doesn't even merit his presence in the list. He is an ideal candidate for a pay cut.
BIPASHA BASU
FEE: R1.5- R2 crore
RECENT FILMS: Raaz 3 (all
2012), Aatma
WHAT'S THE DEAL: All her films — barring Raaz 3 — have failed at the box office. She also doesn't have many new films in hand, except a rumoured part in No Entry Mein Entry.
EXPERT VERDICT: Like Vivek, Bipasha — who is already overpaid — should also pay producers for casting her. She should get a pay cut just for her performances in recent films.
IMRAN KHAN
FEE: R1.5- R2 crore
RECENT FILMS: Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (EMAET, 2012) and Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (MKBKM)
WHAT'S THE DEAL: His recent releases have been a mixed bag with EMAET being appreciated, but MKBKM turning out to be a dud.
EXPERT VERDICT: Imran hasn't shown much promise in his recent films. But now a lot depends on his next release Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Again. So his salary structure will be altered a bit.
Also in the fray…
Besides of actors big is creating stars, another ripples set with experts their believe talent. that And they so, too deserve a pay hike.
IRRFAN: He doesn't need any introduction, but experts feel that he deserves a pay raise after his National Award-winning performance in Paan Singh Tomar (2012).
NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUE: After Gangs Of Wasseypur (GOW), Talaash (both 2012) and Aatma, this new powerhouse of talent should definitely get a hike.
HUMA QURESHI: With Gangs Of Wasseypur, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (both 2012) and Ek Thi Daayan, she is making the right noises in film industry.
RICHA CHADDA: This Punjabi girl is surely going to go a long way if her strong performances in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008) and GOW (2012) are anything to go by.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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