Bollywood actor and filmmaker Sonu Sood has called attention to the film industry’s extravagant spending habits, criticising practices that inflate production budgets. Known for his versatility and social initiatives, Sood recently discussed his cost-efficient approach while directing and producing his latest film, Fateh, in an interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.
Sood expressed concern over how inflated budgets often fail to reflect on-screen, citing unnecessary expenditures on actor delays and oversized production crews. He highlighted that mismanagement during shoots significantly contributes to the problem. “An actor scheduled to shoot in the morning might arrive at 3 in the afternoon. In between shots, actors sit inside their vans and only come out slowly once the setup is ready – meanwhile, the meter is still running,” he said.
The actor-director also criticised the growing trend of taking unnecessarily large crews for international shoots. “Producers often take 150-200 people to foreign locations when only 100 are required,” Sood explained.
In contrast, Sood adopted a streamlined approach for Fateh. For a sequence shot in the U.S., he traveled alone and hired a local crew of just 12 members. The team filmed at iconic locations such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, where minimal personnel and efficient planning significantly reduced expenses.
Sood shared another example from a shoot in Dubai, where he brought only six crew members, along with the actors, and hired local talent. “Because I was also the producer, I could save so much. Other producers take 50-100 people abroad, which unnecessarily inflates costs,” he said.
Fateh, which stars Jacqueline Fernandez, Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles, hit theatres on January 10. Directed and co-produced by Sood, the film reflects his practical approach to filmmaking and stands as a testament to cost-effective yet high-quality production.
Through his insights, Sood has shed light on the pressing need for accountability in Bollywood’s financial practices, emphasizing that careful planning can help ensure that budgets serve the creative vision rather than wasteful excess.