‘Star’s entourage triples its fees once they deliver a Rs 500 cr hit’: Hair stylist Aalim Hakim on inflating costs in Bollywood

There is an ongoing debate about the rising hair and makeup costs in Bollywood, which are increasingly straining film budgets. Several producers have voiced concerns about this growing issue. A recent report by SCREEN revealed that while a writer may earn around Rs 10–12 lakh for a film, the hair and makeup budget can range anywhere from Rs 5–10 crore . The rising costs are largely attributed to demands from HMU (Hair, Makeup, and Upholstery) artists in stars’ entourages, which often include first-class travel and five-star accommodation.

Renowned hair designer Aalim Hakim has weighed in on the escalating entourage costs. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, he said: “Mostly, in the industry, what people do is increase their fees based on the value of the actor. If someone is a s