Voja Nedeljković Recalls Saša Popović’s Unforgettable Contract Negotiation Jokes

Voja Nedeljković and Dragana Katić have shared stories from their years working with Saša Popović, recalling how salary discussions could turn into comic exchanges. The two longtime Grand presenters described very different approaches to negotiating with the late production chief. Nedeljković said he once deliberately named an outlandish figure while discussing his pay for a season. He explained that he asked Popović whether he wanted to hear the amount as a monthly sum or as a total covering the season through June. Popović opted for the monthly figure, Nedeljković recalled, while keeping a pen and paper in hand. According to the host, Popović responded almost immediately with a joke: he asked which of his eyes Nedeljković was offering in exchange. Nedeljković said the speed of the comeback made it feel as though the two lines had been joined in an edited scene. The story, he suggested, captured Popović’s quick wit during negotiations. Katić said her own request was more straightforward. While discussing a contract adjustment, she told Popović that she wanted a realistic increase in her salary. But, she recalled, his familiar habit of asking her age came up again as they prepared to sign. Katić said Popović would ask how old she was whenever she signed a contract. After she answered, he teased her that only veteran broadcasters Dunja Lango and Mića Orlović were older, and joked that he was unsure whether investing in her was worthwhile. Katić recounted the exchange with a smile, presenting it as another example of the humor that colored their long professional relationship.