Akshay Kumar charging between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 crores per film

10:12 AM

Is Akshay Kumar charging anywhere between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 crores [inclusive of a cut in the profits] per film? That’s the buzz in the industry! “I keep reading fluctuating figures in the newspapers, every second day. It’s far from true,” Akshay smiles.

So what’s the truth? Isn’t he demanding a cut in the profits of the film? “Yes, I am and I don’t see any harm in it. If you’re selling the film on the strength of an actor, why shouldn’t I get a share in it? Make your money, but give me a share too. In any case, my fee is never on the higher side. For me, not just my producer, everyone involved in the film has to make money. The economics have to work for everyone,” Akshay reasons.

Meanwhile, Akshay is enjoying the current phase of superstardom. “I’ve consistently delivered hits in the past, but it’s only now that people have woken up to an actor called Akshay Kumar,” he smiles.

Is Ash pregnant? Silence is the answer

9:24 AM

The Bachchan bahu seems to have had enough of rumour mills working overtime. So when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan arrived in Delhi to endorse a jewellery brand, she was all armed to put every gossip surrounding her and her family to rest.

On being questioned about the news that Aishwarya is helping facilitate hubby Abhishek's Hollywood plans, she replied, “When did I say that? I would first like you to show me that interview and then I’ll answer that question. Please don’t attribute statements to me.”

Talking about Will Smith's lament that it's tough to get the former Miss World to work with him, she said, “I love the kind of cinema he does. He had discussed three ideas with me, and two of them have already been made — I am Legend and Tonight, He Comes. Seven Pounds is up next.”

“They are all great ideas but somehow I have not been able to fit them into my schedule,” she added.

As for the rumours about the beautiful actor being pregnant are concerned, she said it “takes more strength to maintain silence.”

“It crosses the line of decency and respect. It gets frustrating at times. We have agreed as a family to let the father of the family that is Amitji to clear out all the rumours.”

Want SRK at your wedding? Spare Rs 1 cr for him

9:22 AM

Want your favourite celebrity to shake hands with guests, dance or sing at your wedding? All you need to do is to burn a hole in the pocket - that is, to shell out anything up to Rs 1 crore.

Shah Rukh Khan may not agree to do a jig, but he might happily be a guest for Rs 10 crore. Bollywood actors and item girls like Celina Jaitley, Malaika Arora Khan, Dia Mirza, Isha Koppikar and Rakhi Sawant charge nearly Rs 10 lakh each to perform.

Koena Mitra, Shefali Zariwala, Priti Jhangiyani, Payal Rohtagi, Neha Kakkar, Sanobar and Mandira Bedi charge between Rs 500,000-Rs 700,000 to perform at marriage ceremonies.

The schedule includes two high-voltage dance performances of eight-and-a-half minutes each.

"It was unheard of even a decade ago. But today it's different because people have more money. Weddings are no longer rituals for them," Rahul Nagpal, senior manager (entertainment) of event management firm Touchwood Entertainment, told IANS.

"It is a chance to stand out among others by calling in Bollywood stars. But a lot depends on the availability of the star," he added.

Singer Sonu Nigam charges Rs 30 lakh and Shaan's tag is nearly Rs 25 lakh. While Kailash Kher charges Rs 15 lakh, Daler Mehendi is ready to entertain guests for Rs 1.2 lakh, Sukhbir charges Rs 8 lakh Mika Rs 5 lakh and Harbhajan Mann Rs 4 lakh. They are in great demand at Punjabi weddings.

Praneeta, operations head of wedding planner Luxury Weddings, said: "Apart from making weddings distinctive, people also want to reflect their personality by inviting actors to their weddings."

Fifty percent of her firm's clients demand celebrities at their weddings every year. The demand also depends on the region a customer belongs to.

"The demand is more in north Indian cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Ludhiana. Simply because these cities are away from tinsel town, stars are more sought-after. They also have more purchasing power," said Praneeta.

The mood of the wedding - subtle or elaborate - also dictates which celebrity will grace the occasion.

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