Dharma Productions and Yash Raj Films have ‘ego’, they pay actors less in the name of ‘giving a break’, says actor Vikram Kapadia | Bollywood

Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films are two of the largest and most popular production houses in Hindi cinema. They have been the flagships of big Bollywood for decades and are known for sparing no expense on big-budget extravaganzas. But now, an actor who has worked with both these production houses has called them selfish and said that they pay the performers less than others. (Read also: Karan Johar becomes co-owner of Adar Poonawalla Dharma Productions, sells 50% of shares ₹1000 crores)

Vikram Kapadia on Dharma, YRF

Actor Vikram Kapadia, who has done films and series like Made In Heaven, Yoddha, The Night Manager and The Archies, recently spoke to Bollywood Now where he talked about how these big studios pay their actors: “Yash Raj and Dharma have this ego that we are Yash Raj and Dharma so we will pay you a little less but you should be happy because we are paying you. I think they do that with everyone. I think that’s why actors are concerned.”

The actor added that there are never any delays in payments, even if the salary is lower. “Yash Raj paid me well as a writer, but hoga na kahi pe who croons Yash Raj hain. You get a role, they give you a break. So maybe the value is a little less, but they never delay payments,” he explained.

In the past, Karan Johar, who heads Dharma Productions, has spoken about the “high cost” of performers. In an interview with Screen magazine, the director said: “Crew costs are the least of our worries. The main salary of the actors should be looked at. It’s very important for all actors to understand exactly what the times are like, what the vibe of our films is, and how tricky and difficult it is to maneuver when making a film of any size or magnitude.

Aadar Poonawala buys shares in Dharma

Earlier this week, Serum Institute’s Aadar Poonawala acquired 50% stake in Dharma through an investment of ₹1000 crore from the production house. Karan and Poonawala then put on a show of strength when they arrived together at Manish Malhotra’s Diwali party.