Producer Shailendra Singh Labels Akshay Kumar as 'Money-Minded' in Explosive Interview
In a revealing conversation that has sent shockwaves through Bollywood circles, veteran filmmaker and producer Shailendra Singh has made startling claims about superstar Akshay Kumar's professional approach. Singh, who collaborated with Kumar on the 2009 film '8 × 10 Tasveer', has openly described the actor as fundamentally "money-minded" and operating primarily as a "businessman first, actor later."
The Disastrous '8 × 10 Tasveer' Collaboration
Shailendra Singh shared his experience during an interview with Siddharth Kannan, recalling his initial excitement about working with one of Hindi cinema's biggest icons. "When I got the opportunity to make a film with him, I was happy," Singh remembered. However, the production quickly encountered significant challenges that would foreshadow the project's ultimate failure.
The film's shooting schedule became particularly problematic due to Akshay Kumar's extremely packed calendar. Originally planned to be shot entirely in the picturesque hill station of Munnar, the production team was forced to relocate multiple times. "From Munnar, we went to Calgary, then Cape Town, then several other places," Singh disclosed, highlighting how these constant changes dramatically impacted the budget.
Financial Fallout and Refusal to Refund
What began as a modest budget of approximately Rs 30-35 crore ballooned significantly due to these logistical complications. The financial strain became catastrophic when the film finally released to empty theaters. Singh described the devastating moment when he confronted Kumar about the commercial disaster.
"I told him, 'Bro, nobody came to watch your film. You have to take some responsibility. You took a lot of money from me,'" the producer recounted. According to Singh's account, Akshay Kumar flatly refused to return any portion of his fees or provide financial compensation for the losses. This experience proved so disillusioning that Singh completely stopped producing films afterward, marking a permanent exit from film production.
Akshay Kumar's Business-First Approach
Shailendra Singh elaborated further on what he perceives as Kumar's calculated professional strategy. "He starts slow, then increases his quote step by step," Singh explained, detailing how the actor's fees escalate systematically. "Rs 15 crore becomes Rs 21 crore, then Rs 27 crore, then suddenly it's Rs 36 crore because of his lucky number 9. He knows exactly what he's doing."
This business acumen extends beyond feature films, as Singh revealed another surprising financial arrangement. For Akshay Kumar's brief appearance in the title song of the 2008 animated film 'Jumbo', Singh paid an astonishing Rs 9 crore for what was essentially a cameo role.
Akshay Kumar's Defense of His Earnings
While Shailendra Singh presents one perspective, Akshay Kumar has previously addressed criticisms about his substantial earnings on public platforms. During an episode of 'Aap Ki Adalat' with journalist Rajat Sharma, Kumar defended his financial success with characteristic pragmatism.
"If I've earned money, I haven't looted anyone. I've earned it by working," the actor stated firmly. He further highlighted his contribution to national revenue, noting, "For eight years, I've been the highest taxpayer." Kumar concluded with a practical perspective shared by many in the industry: "Money is important in life, you have to be practical."
This contrasting narrative between producer and star reveals the complex financial dynamics underlying Bollywood's glamorous surface, where artistic collaboration often intersects with hard-nosed business calculations.
