New Year’s eve is just around the corner and Bollywood stars are ready to make some big bucks. Though most deals for such performances are made by the stars’ managers, only one secretary agreed to reveal information on who is raking in how much this December 31.

Jai Arora (name changed on request) has been business for a while now and towards the end of every year, he takes on the role of a negotiator for most of these deals.According to Arora and information based on trade estimates, the biggest city event that will bring in the New Year will be Mallika Sherawat’s. The actor will perform at Tulip Star in Juhu. Says Arora, “Mallika has charged Rs 2 crore for her one-hour performance. This is a crore more than what she was paid last year.” However, on being contacted, Mallika’s manager Rakesh Rathod refused to divulge details saying, “How much Mallika has charged is a confidential matter.”

Neha Dhupia is apparently taking home Rs 40 lakh for her show at Sahara Star in Vile Parle, reveals Arora. Her manager, Rishi Thakker too, did not comment. Interestingly, while trade sources insist that Vivek Oberoi is being paid Rs 30 lakh for his performance at Country Club, the actor’s publicist disclosed that he has charged about Rs 80 lakh. The disparity in the figures, Arora explains, is intentional. “Stars benefit from giving overvalued figures to the media. This way, the public and organizers get an idea of what he is worth,” says Arora.

Apparently, the list of other actors includes Jacqueline Fernandes, who has been paid Rs 35 lakh for the Sahara Star event; Koena Mitra and Sayali Bhagat’s Country Club performances have made them richer by Rs 15 and Rs 6 lakh respectively; Ranveer Singh has been paid Rs 50 lakh for the Aamby Valley party and Pakistani actor Veena Mallik is making Rs 25 lakh with her performance in Dubai. Aarti Chhabria, Mahima Chaudhry and Juhi Chawla have also pocketed about eight, five and eight lakh respectively. When contacted, all the actors’ managers refused to comment on the numbers.Among musicians, Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam has been paid the most — Rs 40 lakh — for the Aamby Valley event. Interestingly, Madhuri Dixit was also a contender for the year-end events. “But her manager, Riku Nath, was quoting a huge amount and there were no takers for that figure,” says our source, Arora.

This year, Bollywood biggies Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Malaika Arora Khan and Deepika Padukone have all given New Year performances a miss.

Money matters
Mallika Sherawat: 2 crore
Neha Dhupia: 40 lakh
Vivek Oberoi: 30 lakh
Veena Mallik: 25 lakh
Ranveer Singh: 50 lakh
Sonu Nigam: 40 lakh
*figures quoted are rough trade estimates