Madhur Bhandarkar, who is a four-time national award-winning filmmaker, is known for creating distinctive content movies. He is credited for award-winning films Chandni Bar, Fashion, and more. The director who creates films at a low budget recently opened up on the high entourage cost ongoing debate. Talking about rising star cast fees, the filmmaker revealed that Priyanka Chopra slashed her fees for Fashion and even Kareena Kapoor Khan accepted a pay cut during Heroine.

Addressing the subject, Madhur Bhandarkar revealed that lead female actors in his films voluntarily reduced their fees, although he makes low-budget movies. He revealed Tabu worked for free in 2001 Chandni Bar because he had only a budget of Rs 1.5 crore. Even Kareena Kapoor Khan and Priyanka Chopra reduced their fees for Heroine and Fashion respectively. The high entourage cost debate is widely concerned now but the filmmaker reflects on the time back in the 2000s when heroines slashed their fees.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Madhur Bhandarkar was questioned about rising star fees. He responded, “Every female actor slashed her price when they were working with me. Since, I only had a budget of 1.5 crore for Chandni Bar, Tabu didn't not charge any fee for the film. She took money against Bombay or Delhi territory, and nothing else apart from that. She worked with such conviction. Raveena Tandon (Satta) and Bipasha Basu (Corporate) reduced their prices. Even Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor slashed their fees. They didn’t charge the market price from me because they were keen on making these movies. The entire film was resting on their shoulders so everybody slashed their prices.”

Madhur Bhandarkar enjoys critical acclaim for Heroine, Fashion, Chandni Bar, and more. He is also known for highlighting social issues through his movies.