Cost more than films' Day 1 earnings: Ameesha Patel's dig at female stars' entourage

During an AskAmy session on X, Ameesha Patel criticised actors who bring large entourages at producers' expense. She also spoke about film choices and the trolling Indian stars face online.

In Short

• Ameesha Patel questions actors' long demand lists during promotions
• She criticises some female stars for overestimating their popularity
• Ameesha highlights huge entourage costs borne by producers

Bollywood actor Ameesha Patel has a question for actors who turn up for film promotions with a long list of demands – especially when producers are footing the bill. During an AskAmy session on X on Sunday, the actor was asked whether it was fair for stars to bring along large entourages at a producer’s expense. Her response soon turned into a pointed comment about female actors and their box office numbers.

Ameesha suggested that some female stars might be overestimating their popularity, particularly when it comes to the money spent on their promotional entourages.

“Many female actresses are in denial of their stardom. Their entourage during film promotions, which comes at the cost of the producers, is bigger than their day 1 collection. Hope they have the same entourage in their regular life minus a producer paying for it,” she wrote.

The actor didn't name anyone, leaving it to social media users to guess who she might have been referring to.

See her post here:

Ameesha previously called out trolling of Indian actors

This isn't the first time Ameesha has spoken candidly about the way actors are treated online. In May, she criticised the trolling faced by Indian celebrities, particularly when they attend major events.

“Actors here in INDIA are more badly trolled by our own people than Hollywood stars are within their country from their own people, which is so sad! Whether it’s an Indian star’s appearance or attire at big events, they sadly become targets of their own people! Such a shame!” she wrote.

Her latest comments come amid an ongoing conversation in the film industry about production costs, star fees and the expenses involved in promoting a film.

While actors' entourages can include stylists, make-up artists, managers and other members of their teams, the costs involved are often covered by the production house.

What’s next for Ameesha Patel?

Ameesha was last seen in Tauba Tera Jalwa, the 2024 romantic comedy directed by Akashaditya Lama. The film also starred Jatin Khurana and Angela Krislinzki.

Her most recent major box office success was Gadar 2, in which she returned as Sakina opposite Sunny Deol. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film reportedly earned Rs 686 crore gross worldwide and also featured Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, Manish Wadhwa and Gaurav Chopra.

Ameesha is yet to announce her next film.

- Ends