Actor-lyricist Piyush Mishra has slammed what he calls the “absurd” scale of entourages in Bollywood, sparking a conversation about excess, celebrity culture, and humility. In a recent interview, he questioned why stars travel with armies of people, bodyguards, personal assistants, stylists, when so much of it feels more show than substance.
Mishra didn’t mince words. He described seeing actors flanked by eight to nine team members, plus as many as twelve bodyguards. He mocked the idea that someone might literally be in danger: “You are a single person. Who is coming to kill you?” He also raised eyebrows over the roles within these entourages, staff whose only job seems to be serving drinks, combing hair, or doing makeup on the go. “One person is to give you a drink … another to comb your hair … one to do your makeup,” he said.
What makes Mishra’s comments more pointed is his praise for Ranbir Kapoor, whom he calls a “rare” kind of star in today’s Bollywood, one who doesn’t carry the usual baggage of arrogance or entitlement. Having worked with Ranbir in Tamasha, Mishra says he’s never seen the actor throw a tantrum or behave like a diva. “He knows he’s a big star, but he has no hang-ups,” Mishra added.
These glitzy entourages have long been a topic of discussion in the industry. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has previously criticized how extravagance creeps into filming costs, calling out actors whose teams make inflated demands. Mishra’s remarks come at a time when many are wondering about the true value these entourages bring to a project, or whether they’re just symbols of ego and privilege.
For Mishra, who travels with just an assistant and a makeup artist, simplicity isn’t just practical, it’s principled. He argues that these exaggerated entourages don’t reflect real needs but are instead part of a culture that equates fame with excess.
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On the flip side, Ranbir Kapoor’s approach stands out precisely because it bucks that trend. Multiple accounts from filmmakers and journalists describe him walking through airports alone, opting for unguarded moments instead of being swathed by a fleet of bodyguards. His grounded behaviour has earned him respect, not just for his acting, but for how he handles the burden of fame.
Mishra’s critique is not just a comment on logistics, but a broader call to rethink celebrity culture. By calling out entourage inflation, he’s shining a light on how much money and energy in the industry goes into glamour, rather than substance. His praise for Ranbir underscores another point: you can be a superstar without building a fortress around yourself.
At a time when Bollywood is being questioned for its extravagant habits, Mishra’s voice is a reminder that humility is still possible, and perhaps overdue. Whether stars will heed his critique remains to be seen, but his words certainly add fuel to a debate that matters beyond the red carpet.