In what seems to be a troubling development for Bollywood’s upcoming film ‘Sanki,’ produced by veteran filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, speculations now suggest that the project has encountered a significant roadblock. Sources close to the production indicate that the film has been put on hold as Nadiadwala re-evaluates his investment decisions. Central to this reassessment is the surprising revelation of the high entourage costs of the film’s lead actor, Ahan Shetty, being charged to the production.
Ahan Shetty, who has been diligently working on ‘Sanki,’ might find his aspirations momentarily stunted due to this unforeseen financial hiccup. The initial optimism surrounding the film’s prospects has been overshadowed by pragmatic concerns, as industry insiders reveal. A news report published by Bollywood Hungama highlighted these issues, with the outlet citing credible sources familiar with the situation.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Nadiadwala embarked on this project partly out of loyalty to his long-time friend Suniel Shetty, Ahan’s father. The producer promised Suniel that he would offer Ahan another shot at Bollywood stardom following the lukewarm reception of his debut film ‘Tadap’ in 2021. In an effort to tip the scales in favor of success, Nadiadwala cast Pooja Hegde, known for her role in ‘Housefull 4,’ opposite Ahan. He believed that the combined star power and chemistry could rejuvenate Ahan’s budding career with ‘Sanki.’
However, the film industry is not devoid of financial challenges, particularly in the current market climate. The economic scenario has been strained across satellite and digital platforms, with even influential producers like Nadiadwala finding it hard to secure anticipated funding. Despite having a bulk deal with Amazon Prime Video for digital rights, Nadiadwala faced disappointing negotiations for the sale of both satellite and digital rights for ‘Sanki.’
An insider close to the situation disclosed, “Sajid Nadiadwala is facing second thoughts about formally moving ahead with ‘Sanki.’ The market isn’t favorable, particularly in terms of satellite and digital monetization. Though his digital rights deal with Amazon Prime Video is stable, the forthcoming financial gains aren’t aligning with his expectations.”
The situation took a drastic turn when Nadiadwala reviewed the costs billed to the production under Ahan Shetty’s entourage expenses. Eyebrows were raised when the financial reports revealed what insiders describe as exorbitant charges for Ahan’s extensive entourage, comprising hairstylists, makeup artists, personal aides, stylists, drivers, chefs, trainers, and other special staff members. These costs were reportedly so high that they pushed Nadiadwala to the brink of reconsidering the project’s viability.
.
The same insider added, “Nadiadwala was startled to see the crew expenses linked to Ahan’s entourage. The cumulative amount for hair, makeup, styling, driving, culinary staff, and physical training was substantially high, leading to a critical tipping point for him. It culminated in Nadiadwala openly threatening to pull the plug on the film altogether. He argued that projected expenses made no practical business sense, sparking a major reevaluation of the production.”
Reports also emphasize the emotional undertones of this financial dilemma. Following Nadiadwala’s threat to halt production, Suniel Shetty purportedly intervened personally. The senior Shetty is understood to have made a heartfelt appeal to Nadiadwala, fervently urging him to reconsider the suspension of ‘Sanki.’ Additionally, he reportedly offered to offset some of the production costs, reflecting a father’s unwavering commitment to supporting his son’s nascent career.
Ahan Shetty’s foray into Bollywood began with ‘Tadap,’ where he starred opposite Tara Sutaria. Released in 2021, ‘Tadap’ was a remake of the Telugu film ‘RX 100.’ Despite its rich cinematic heritage and the creative vision of director Milan Luthria, ‘Tadap’ did not meet box office expectations. The film was produced under Nadiadwala’s illustrious banner, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Ahan’s debut was seen as a much-anticipated event, given that he is the son of renowned actor Suniel Shetty.
While the proposed suspension of ‘Sanki’ may seem disheartening, it also underscores the complexities and financial intricacies of film production in Bollywood. As the industry grapples with post-pandemic challenges, producers are increasingly compelled to weigh star power against pragmatic business decisions.
At this juncture, both fans and industry pundits will keenly watch for further developments. Whether Nadiadwala opts for an immediate resumption of ‘Sanki’ or pursues a more cautious approach to mitigate financial risk remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the love and efforts of those involved underscore the continual quest for cinematic excellence, even amidst fiscal trials.
