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While Bollywood is yet to break free from the curse of back-to-back box office failures, with blockbusters like Chhaava and Saaiyaara being far and few between, the issue of skyrocketing entourage costs that are breaking producers’ backs remains unresolved. Although many have, over time, voiced their opposition to the practice of stars bringing along massive entourages to sets and burdening production companies with their expenses, a conclusive settlement on the matter is still elusive. Even legendary actor Sharmila Tagore, despite the practice being almost non-existent during her era as a leading star, is aware of it, simply because her family property of Pataudi Palace is frequently rented out for movie shoots.
In a recent interview, she revealed that production companies are leasing more rooms than before to accommodate stars’ entourages. “I know about all of this because we rent out Pataudi Palace. There’ll be a secretary, a cook, and a masseuse. So, that’s six to seven people right there, and that must be costing a lot to producers,” she shared during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India.
The palace was passed down from the last ruling nawab, Iftikhar Ali Khan, to his son, the last recognised titular nawab, legendary cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team, Mansoor Ali Khan. Spread across 10 acres, the palace is currently held by Mansoor and Sharmila’s son, actor Saif Ali Khan. According to a 2019 Architectural Digest India report, the Rs 800 crore property has 150 rooms, including seven dressing rooms, seven bedrooms and seven billiard rooms, among others.
During the chat, Sharmila also confirmed that the stars have massive and exquisite vanity vans these days, with separate rooms for various purposes. “I hear there are now makeup rooms, sitting rooms, sleeping rooms and discussion rooms. The bigger the size of the vanity, the bigger the status of the star, apparently,” Sharmila added.
Contrasting such practices with those of actors from earlier generations, the two-time National Award-winning actor stated, “Back in the day, movies of stars like Dilip Kumar ji and Waheeda Rahman ji would run to packed theatres for a time. People knew Dev Anand’s films would have good music. Or let’s put it this way — they always fulfilled the expectations people had from them, and they recovered the money spent on their films. I believe that’s not the case anymore. Am I right?”
One of the most renowned and Accompled actors of her generation, sharmila tagore made her acting debut in world cinema legend satyajit ray's apur sansar (1959). She then went on to appear in movies like Devi (1960), Nayak (1966), ARANYER DIN RATRI (1970), Seemabaddha (1971), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), WAQT (1965), WAQT (1965), Anupama (1966), Anupama (1966), an earning in family (1967), Aradhana (1969), Safar (1970), Amar Prem (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mausam (1975), Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975), Namkeen (1982), Sunny (1982), Sunny (1984), Sunny (2003), Among others. Her Last Bollywood appearance was in Gulmohar (2023).
