Director Akashdeep Sabir and his wife, Sheeba, recently made remarks about Kareena Kapoor in the wake of Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing incident. Speaking with Lehren Retro, Akashdeep shared his views on pay disparity in the film industry and pointed out how a star’s popularity influences their earnings. Using Pushpa 2 as an example, he explained that the film’s success was largely driven by Allu Arjun’s star power, which is why he was paid significantly more than Rashmika Mandanna.
During the conversation, Akashdeep took a jibe at Kareena Kapoor, suggesting that her lower earnings compared to male actors affected her ability to afford personal security. He remarked that despite charging ₹21 crore per film, Kareena couldn’t afford to have a full-time watchman outside her house. Laughing, he added that if actors were paid ₹100 crore, they might then be able to afford round-the-clock security or even a driver at night.
Reflecting on his long association with the Kapoor family, Akashdeep recalled first meeting Kareena when she was still a child. He reminisced about supporting her and Saif during television debates and mentioned his work on Karishma, a show that marked Karisma Kapoor’s debut on Sahara. At that time, he noted, Kareena wasn’t even an actress.
He went on to discuss the security concerns raised after the incident at Saif and Kareena’s residence. While acknowledging that they lived in a secure building with multiple CCTV cameras, he questioned the practicality of relying solely on surveillance. “A CCTV camera can help solve a crime, but it can’t physically stop an intruder,” he pointed out. Another concern he raised was why the couple did not have a full-time driver at night.
Adding to the discussion, Sheeba highlighted the space constraints in Mumbai homes, stating that not every residence can accommodate overnight staff. Eventually, Akashdeep emphasized that Saif and Kareena had already been through a difficult time and urged people to let them recover in peace, criticizing the media for blowing the situation out of proportion.
For those unaware, Saif Ali Khan was attacked on January 16 in what appeared to be a robbery attempt at his Mumbai residence. The actor suffered multiple injuries and had to undergo surgery. The shocking incident drew widespread concern, with several celebrities applauding Saif’s bravery in protecting his family. Reports suggest that the accused in the case is a Bangladeshi national.
