Filmmaker Priyadarshan has spoken about the issue of entourage culture in Bollywood, calling it a major problem on film sets. He shared his views while talking about how large groups that accompany actors often create difficulties during shooting.
According to him, many actors arrive on set with a large number of people, which makes the working environment crowded. He explained that this affects the shooting process and even makes it hard for him to focus on framing scenes properly.
He said, “I tell you, I hate it. That’s the worst thing happening in Bollywood. Where four actors are there, 40–60 people are also there with them. Because of that, I can’t even see my frame. They’re all around, touching the hair, nothing to touch, most of them don’t even have hair, so what they’re doing there? And I’m saying, ‘please clear, please clear.’ There is so much crowd. The paraphernalia around actors is more than my entire setup.”
Priyadarshan also compared this with the working style in South Indian film industries. He said that such large entourages are not allowed on set there. Even if actors have support staff, they are called only when needed and do not stay around during filming.
He further pointed out that some members of these entourages earn more than experienced actors used to earn earlier. Referring to veteran actor Asrani, he said, “They’re earning much more than many known actors, like people like Asrani sir and all. They were getting much less money than these people. This nuisance is not there in the South. Even if they are there, they don’t enter the set. Only when the actors call, they come. Here, they just come and stand there,” he said.
Priyadarshan also spoke about his experience working with Asrani, who passed away in October 2025. He shared that the actor will be seen in his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, which will be released after his death. He said, “Asrani sir, I am so lucky. I finished both the films with him, the last two films I directed, and the last shot was taken, and two days later he died.”
The film Bhooth Bangla also marks the reunion of Priyadarshan with actor Akshay Kumar after more than 15 years. The film also features Paresh Rawal, Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi in important roles.