Presenting Mr Expensive : Rajeev Masand

Here is the blind item forOpen Magazine by Rajeev Masand:

Producers have reportedly been grumbling that this young actor, who made his debut last year in a quirky sleeper hit and has only had one more release since, is already demanding Rs 3 crore as his acting fee per project. According to trade talk, he was close to signing at least two new films, both of which he is now no longer doing because the makers allegedly wouldn't cough up the fat fee he demanded.

The actor, who worked in television before he got into movies, had a rather public falling-out with a prominent producer-director last year when he dropped out of a project after the maker failed to cast a prominent leading lady opposite him. Much dirty linen was washed in public at the time, but the controversy died down after a while.

Fortunately for the young star, he's got no shortage of offers. Next he will star in a comedy that is being made by the same team that gave him his winning debut (of course, he is not getting paid anywhere close to Rs 3 crore for this film). And, pooh-poohing rumours that his client could soon be out of work if he remains inflexible with his asking price, the actor's manager insists he is currently poring over a pile of scripts that have been dropped off by hopeful filmmakers