Shraddha Kapoor’s Thriller Exit: ₹17 Crore Fee Dispute Shakes Bollywood
Just when a blockbuster collaboration seemed like a done deal, that all came crashing down. Stree 2 star Shraddha Kapoor was rumoured to possibly headline a high-concept thriller penned by Tumbbad director Rahi Anil Barve and produced by Ekta Kapoor.
Well, insiders say Kapoor left over a fee negotiation issue, and the director has now shifted gears to focus on the next-level Netflix production, titled Rakt Brahmand.
The ₹17 Crore Question: Was Shraddha Kapoor’s Fee Too High?
An exclusive report stated that Shraddha was in pretty advanced talks with Barve’s untitled thriller, but that negotiations apparently fell through due to conversations around the amount of her fee.
“Shraddha demanded ₹17 crores in upfront fee, and a profit-share deal, a cheque amount that some are saying is one of the highest taken by a Bollywood actresses. Ekta Kapoor thought that was an unreasonable desire for a female-led high-concept thriller in today’s marketplace,” said a trade source.
In the theatrical marketplace, today is so risk-averse for the studios that women-led genre films hardly get much in the way of mega-budgets, and the reported demand pushed production to a point where it became capped, thus choosing to split ways, as they are now casting for their lead.
What’s Next for Shraddha Kapoor?
After the huge success of Stree 2, Shraddha is now one of the hottest actresses in the industry. However, she is said to be taking her time to select her next project. Sources say she is currently in talks with:
- Dinesh Vijan (for Supernatural Comedy)
- Boney Kapoor (for Pan India Project)
- Bhushan Kumar (for Romantic Drama)
“Shraddha wants to lock her next film in the next two months and is looking at both theatrical and direct-to-digital options,” a source close to Shraddha said.
Rahi Anil Barve Back on Rakt Brahmand Since Setback Due to Production
So, the thriller is on hold, as Rahi Anil Barve has moved back to the Netflix fantasy period series Rakt Brahmand, which was put on hiatus in January due to internal financial fraud. The series has:
- Aditya Roy Kapur
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu
- Wamiqa Gabbi
- Ali Fazal
Rakt Brahmand is in the script polishing and creative restructuring phase; filming will resume in mid-August in Mumbai. Barve is expected to circle back to Ekta Kapoor’s thriller once Rakt Brahmand is completed.
BoxOfficeWorldwide Verdict
Shraddha Kapoor‘s exit over a ₹17 crore fee discussion has sent tremors within industry circles — not just in terms of the monetary impact but also for highlighting the precarious balance between star power and sustainability.
Meanwhile, Rahi Anil Barve’s epic Rakt Brahmand might be his next big-hit creation. One project stagnates, another takes off — and just another week in Bollywood.
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