Shekhar Suman Critiques Bollywood's Current Landscape and Reflects on Yesteryear Stars

Shekhar Suman Discusses Bollywood's Evolution

During the promotional activities for The Pyramid Scheme, Shekhar Suman expressed sharp criticisms of the current state of Bollywood. In a candid interview with a media outlet regarding the new Amazon Prime Video series, he commended the dedication and integrity of actors from earlier decades. When questioned about whether stars from the 70s, 80s, and 90s were more accommodating to producers in terms of payment and other essentials, Suman noted that Dilip Kumar commanded a fee of Rs 18 lakh per film, while Dharmendra's earnings ranged from Rs 8 to 10 lakh.

Were Past Actors More Producer-Friendly?

Shekhar Suman reveals whether yesteryear actors were more producer-friendly

In his conversation, Suman remarked, “Money has always been a standard. Dilip Sahab earned Rs 18 lakh in the 60s, which was substantial. Dharmendra ji's fees were between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. If we adjust for inflation, that would be equivalent to Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crore today. Back then, earning a lakh was significant. However, those actors had a strong sense of integrity. Rafi Sahab would often sing without charging if he liked the song, and Kishore Kumar would perform even if the budget was tight. Nowadays, contracts are everywhere, but back then, agreements were often made verbally. People were genuine, and their intentions were clear. I can't say the same for today's actors, though there are exceptions.”

Suman's Take on Plagiarism in Bollywood

Shekhar Suman slams plagiarism

He further criticized the industry, stating, “Many individuals who engage in deceitful practices are prevalent in our industry. With Bollywood's reputation marred by duplicity, it’s challenging to expect anything positive. First, one must find their own ground. Everything seems to be about theft—plagiarism, copying songs. With so many films available online, stealing has become increasingly simple.”

Overview of The Pyramid Scheme

About The Pyramid Scheme

The Pyramid Scheme features a talented cast including Ranvir Shorey, Paramvir Singh Cheema, Alfia Jafry, Aanjjan Srivastav, Ashish Raghava, Akhilendra Mishra, Smita Bansal, Vijay Kumar, Indresh Malik, Ravi Bhel, Sushant Singh, Sonal Jha, and Sadanand Patil.