Big entourage, glamorous clothes, gorgeous makeup, fancy cars and foreign trips--- it’s not easy to maintain these trappings of stardom in expensive Mumbai if you are a male actor who hasn't made it big.
However, most such female actors live it up by making public appearances--- be it events, weddings or performances.
And what if and when these earnings dip? In fact, they have already dipped.
As for those females who have made it big, you can definitely say that they are earning only their bread and butter now and no jam.
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We are told that there is a far lesser demand for actresses to make appearances/do performances in weddings and events in today's times than what it was when demonetisation had not happened. Oh, that eventful night of 8/11/2016!
Sana Khan, who set the screens on fire with her bold-n-brazen histrionics in the sex-laden Wajah Tum Ho, says her earnings have dropped by at least 30 per cent. "Log kehte hain: Paisa nahin hai dene ke liye, we'll have the event later. Log kehte hain: Paisa nahin hai dene ke liye, we can't afford to have actors dance in weddings. Mind you, these same people before demonetisation happened, were full enthu about having us in their midst."
Salman Khan's rakhi sister Shweta Rohira says, "Honestly speaking, demonetisation has affected us. It hasn't affected me per se much, because I am involved with art work. But since I know many actresses I must tell you that what you are tracking is not wrong."
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Says Nia Sharma, who was voted as India's sexiest TV star, "Demonetisation has affected everyone. Chances of appearances at events today do not arise."
The leggy lass who was recently dragged in a party to a sofa by a failed actor because he wanted to make out with her, tells SpotboyE.com, "Listen, my earnings have dropped by nearly 50 per cent. And by the way, no event manager will go on record to tell you that he shelled out money like water earlier, but is holding it close to his chest now."
And have they been told why the performances & appearances are being cancelled? "Yes, we are clearly told that it is happening due to demonetisation. The organisers are upfront with us on this," Sana replied.
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Bipasha Basu and Chitrangada Singh top the list of the most sought-after heroines when it comes to public appearances. Did you know that many former A-listers, including Rati Agnihotri, Sonali Bendre and Raveena Tandon, are also flooded with such offers? Television actresses like Divyanka Tripathi, Anita Hassanandani, Kishwer Merchant and Karishma Tanna too are in the fray. But now?
A senior event manager reveals, "Now, many actresses are ready to slash their fee to remain in the race. It's like this- earlier if the money involved was less than Rs 10 lakh, it was often given in cash. Lekin aaj nobody has cash. The black money has decreased. So it's all in cheque, where the service tax also comes into play. No organiser wants to pay an obnoxious amount if his/her money is not accounted for."
"Add this to the main reason of why events are hardly finding a place in the diaries of many beauties from the film and TV world- the number of sponsors has decreased,” adds the event manager.
So, how much moolah is involved if and when the girls are called? SpotboyE gives you a fair idea with this Rate Card (subject to approximation and negotiation).
We bet the numbers in the New Rate Card are far lesser.
"In Bollywood, the journey to stardom is not an easy one. But what is tougher is, living like a star especially when you don't have continuous work. Our lives around events and weddings. We wish the situation returns to normal ASAP. Life is not the same as before," concludes an actress on request of anonymity.
Nia comes back to say, "As far as the upper strata goes, I can only assume that they have been able to normalise their lives and the impact of everything is subsiding with time."
Conclusion: Picture abhi baaki hai, mere dost. Dilli door hai.
Thumbnail Image Source: fugomo, instagram/sannakhan & wp