Amitabh Bachchan+Abhishek Bachchan=Akshay Kumar?

Now that Akshay Kumar is a consistent hit-maker, he is demanding $250,000 (approx Rs 1 crore) per show for the Bachchan world tour titled Unforgettable (organised by Wizcraft). He has made this demand to Wizcraft CEO Viraf Sarkari who was shocked to hear it. After all, Akshay is demanding payment equal to what both Amitabh and Abhishek would get put together !

Not justified

The latest is that negotiations are on with Akshay and should he agree, Wizcraft will not pay him more than Rs 50 lakh per show (nearly 30 shows are being planned). A source close to Wizcraft says, "Akshay does not understand the economics. It's a sad reflection of what actors today are doing to kill shows that are a craze with the NRIs. Astro-nomical fee demands have made these shows a losing proposition, that's why there's no show with film stars this year."The source adds that the last two shows with Bollywood stars — Heat (SRK and friends) and Rockstar (Salman Khan, John Abraham, etc) — did not do well at all. "Today, only a show led by the Bachchans/ SRK/Hrithik Roshan can draw crowds. The selling price of a SRK show touches $650,000 (approx Rs 2.6 crore). Akshay only commanded a crowd of 2,500 people for his performance in Heat, for which he was paid Rs 30 lakh per show," he explains.Wizcraft director Andre Timmins covers up for Akshay. "We have no problems with Akshay. He has agreed to be part of the tour. We have a long association with him; he is like family," says Timmins.However, Sarkari contradicts his partner by saying that they haven't finalised Akshay yet. "Our main line-up includes the Bachchans, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Shiamak Davar," he says.Viraf adds, "We cannot reveal the money being paid to the stars. We are still negotiating with Akshay. He has been busy with his shoots."An hour later, Viraf calls to clarify, "I am in Bangalore and wasn't aware of the details. I believe Akshay has been finalised for the tour."The buzz is that Akki has agreed to a pay cut and will get about Rs 50 lakh per show. Akshay was unavailable for comment.

The pay-offs
(Approximate figures paid to the stars for the tour)

Amitabh Bachchan: Rs 60 lakh

Abhishek Bachchan: Rs 50 lakh

Aishwarya Rai: Rs 35 lakh

Bipasha Basu: Rs 15 lakh

Lara Dutta: Rs 10 lakh

Riteish Deshmukh: Rs 10 lakh

Courtesy:Midday