Perspective | Actors turning producers trend, business interest or sheer passion?

Lights, camera and action…a lot of top rated actors across Indian films world have said that these words hold supreme importance their lives. Actors today are vocal about their love of being in front of the camera and some of them have even done wonders behind the camera. While actors turning producers has been a usual progression in the film world, this idea has been lapped up by many leading actors and actresses alike, in the recent times.

While Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt had, by producing films, set the ball rolling (in a way), actors like Dev Anand, Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan followed suit. However, earlier, turning producer was the tried-and-tested formula of yesteryear's actors to be in the limelight or to launch their kids in the industry. Very few names like the ones mentioned above made the move of stepping into a producer’s shoes. Experts and viewers, citing reasons to this move say that being an actor doesn't come easy; rather it comes with its share of downfalls as well. As an actor's shelf life is short-lived, therefore actors need to keep a back-up plan when they are given the voluntary retirement sign by the industry. As an actor goes out of work (rather early than expected), turning to production or other profession around the film business to save their sinking careers, is a better move.

Though actors who are in the league of ‘actors-turned producers’, dismiss this idea. “The reason why I produce films is because I have full control. I can make it better. Creative liberty is in my hand”, said Aamir Khan in an interview given to a publication weeks ago. Having said this, today's actor-producers obviously believe in the films they make, but they also consider film-making a business proposition. Production, distribution and financing are planned right from the script stage, and every penny is accounted for.

Along with Aamir Khan, actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Dengan, John Abraham, Zayed Khan, Abhay Deol, Preity Zinta, Dia Mirza, Lara Dutta, Shilpa Shetty have also ventured into production. While some have tasted success, some have burnt fingers in their maiden attempts.

In this edition of Adgully Perspective, we talk to industry experts and actors-turned producers to know how and why do actors take up the role of producers, does it pose more challenges than being an actor, what benefits does one derive from it and more. For this, we spoke to Anupam Kher, Sunil Shetty, Anil Kapoor and Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors.

In past Kher has produced the feature film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara and directed Om Jai Jagdish. He is now is producing a television show titled ‘The Anupam Kher Show – Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai’ on Colors. He feels that, everybody wants to be an entrepreneur at some point of time, thus widening up their horizons. “It can’t be stated as trend as it depends upon each individual and his passion for the art and craft of film making”, he said.

Usually known as an actor-actor, Sunil Shetty also stepped into the producers shoes with films like Khel – No Ordinary Game, Rakht: What If You Can See the Future and Bhagam Bhag in the past, but failed to make a mark in the space. His next venture Desi Kattey which will hit the theatres this August. Sharing his opinion on this he said, “I think creativity is what makes an actor to be a producer as well, but some way down the line I failed miserably as a producer and I decided that I don’t want to do anymore.”

According to Kapoor, who made way to television production with ‘24’ last year, said, “I was eagerly waiting to bring the format of 24 in India, I am delighted to say that first season was a success and we are working on the next season. I think for an actor, acting is not the only thing to do. If he has potential to get into some other profession he can easily get into that, so I have made up my mind to be become a producer and thus I produced films and television like ‘24’.” Kapoor produced his first film in 2002 titled Badhaai Ho Badhaai which was followed by My Wife's Murder, Gandhi: My Father, Short Kut: The Con is On, Aisha, No Problem. He recently launched his own media and entertainment company, Antila Ventures as well. “The Indian film industry has changed a lot since past and is continuing to change for the better”, he added.

Nayak is of the opinion that nothing is wrong with actors turning producers. “They are making loads of money and when they turn producer they factor in the cast of actors in productions, thus minimizing risks. When a successful actor turns out to be a producer they have good insight on working like direction, content marketing etc. and there is no harm in it. They are bound to gain huge insights while they are in front of the camera, so when they are on the other side, they are great resources”, he said.

Today the overall industry has become more professional and educated and if actors are turning out to be producers, good producer to be more specific, it’s a good boost for the industry on the whole”, said Shetty.

Sharing the one thing that an actor-turned producer must have, Kher said, “It is important to be financially savvy when you turn producer”.

While the current list of actors-turned producers is long enough, the list shall keep updating with the new generation of actors taking the plunge to production.

“Ranbir Kapoor’s Picture Shuru Productions, Anushka Sharma’s Clean Slate Productions, Amisha Patel Productions, Priyanka Chopra (production house unnamed yet), Abhay Deol’s Forbidden Films are some of the new producers in the making. Even actors like Dino Morea, Aftab Shivdasani, Shreyas Talpade and Riteish Deshmukh (Marathi films) have travelled behind the camera.

Position this as a trend or sheer passion for the art and craft of film-making or business acumen of actors today, actors turning producers as a concept is here to stay and take the film world to newer heights.