Hyderabad, May 2 -- In an era where film budgets are soaring and star entourages are becoming larger than ever, a story from Bollywood's past offers a refreshing perspective. Veteran producer K. C. Bokadia recently revisited a moment that not only changed actor fees forever but also highlighted a kind of professionalism rarely seen today, through his experience with Amitabh Bachchan.

When Stardom Meant Respect, Not Excess

Back in the late 1980s, Amitabh Bachchan was already a towering figure in Indian cinema. Despite his unmatched popularity, actor fees had not yet touched the crore mark. Bokadia recalled how Bachchan was charging around Rs 70 lakh at the time and had asked for Rs 80 lakh for a project. However, in a surprising move, Bo...