'Akshay Kumar is a businessman first, actor later’, says producer Shailendra Singh amid 8 x 10 Tasveer failure

Akshay Kumar in 8 x 10 Tasveer

• Producer Shailendra Singh called Akshay Kumar "money-minded" and a "businessman first"
• Shailendra claims 8 x 10 Tasveer's failure led him to quit filmmaking
• Akshay reportedly refused to reimburse any pay after the film bombed

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Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar remains one of the most bankable actor in the industry. However, filmmaker and producer Shailendra Singh called Akshay Kumar "money-minded" and a "businessman first, actor later.”

In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Shailendra talked about his experience collaborating with Akshay on the 2009 movie 8 x 10 Tasveer and how the project's failure supposedly forced him to give up filmmaking entirely.

Shailendra further explained that his remarks were not motivated by resentment. He actually referred to Akshay as a "lovely guy" with whom he had a good relationship and frequently played sports.

The filmmaker recalled how 8 x 10 Tasveer came together at a time when both Akshay and Nagesh were riding high on success. He said, “When I got the opportunity to make a film with him, I was happy.”

However, the filmmaker noted that things soon get out of control.

According to Shailendra, 8 x 10 Tasveer was initially planned as a modest Rs 30–35 crore film, meant to be shot in Munnar. However, the production timeline was significantly changed to accommodate Akshay's hectic schedule.

He shared that the constant travel ballooned the budget significantly and added, “From Munnar, we went to Calgary, then Cape Town, then several other places.”

8 x 10 Tasveer "fully bombed" at the movie office, in contrast to Akshay's popular 2008 film Singh Is Kinng.

Shailendra stated that, considering the extent of the losses, he went to Akshay after the movie failed and asked for a partial reimbursement of his pay.

The producer recalled, “I told him, ‘Bro, nobody came to watch your film. You have to take some responsibility. You took a lot of money from me.’”

Shailendra further recalled that Akshay refused to return the amount, adding, “I didn’t get anything back. After that, I stopped making films.”

He then elaborated on his comment and noted that Akshay is extremely strategic when it comes to money. He described how Akshay’s fees allegedly escalate gradually during negotiations and said, “He starts slow, then increases his quote step by step.”

He continued, “Rs 15 crore becomes Rs 21 crore, then Rs 27 crore, then suddenly it’s Rs 36 crore because of his lucky number 9. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He is a businessman first, then an actor."

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Additionally, Shailendra recalls paying Akshay Rs 9 crore for a single song cameo in his animated feature Jumbo, which he described as another illustration of the actor's astute financial sense.

About 8 x 10 Tasveer

Released in 2009, the action thriller was directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. 8 x 10 Tasveer follows Jai, who can see into the past by looking at photographs. When his father dies mysteriously in a boating accident, he decides to use his ability to find the murderer.