Several Bollywood A-listers are reportedly opting for backend deals instead of large upfront fees amid changing market conditions. The arrangements involve stakes in intellectual property rights and profits. Akshay Kumar reportedly followed this model for Welcome to the Jungle, while actors including Salman Khan and Shraddha Kapoor are also linked to similar fee structures.

When need is a must, the devil drives. And it’s the devil who is driving most Bollywood actors at this point. Realising that they may have out-priced themselves, most A-listers know that in the current wishy-washy market scenario, they cannot demand what they ‘think’ is their full price. So, they are sensibly opting for backend deals with the producers. This means, a stake in the IPR (intellectual property rights).

Akshay Kumar is Bollywood’s new money-messiah

FPJ told you that Akshay Kumar reportedly took only ₹1.8 cr for his recent comedy, Welcome to the Jungle. At a WTTJ promotional event, when a journalist asked Akki whether this was true, the Bollywood superstar cheekily replied, “Why ₹1.8 cr? I’ve taken only ₹1, as my fee.” According to trade experts, Akshay who reportedly helped fully with organising finance for this project and also the sale of the ancillary rights—like OTT, satellite, audio and other rights, sensibly kept a 72 per cent stake. We heard that his home banner allegedly had another 8 per cent stake and the producer reportedly got 20 per cent. In other words, with WTTJ doing good numbers at the box office, Akshay got to top up his initial ₹1.8 cr fee, with an alleged fee, north of ₹35 cr. Considering he believed in the project from the start, he naturally got to take home the chunk of the profits.

Salman Khan’s reported ₹70 cr fee is being debated…