Due to remuneration issues, we often hear that most actors drop the idea of doing the project, which later used to end up as a massive hit at the box office. In this case, Bollywood and the actors in it are not an exception.
Veteran Bollywood Astrologer cum Business Transformation Expert Hirav Shah says, “Be it in Bollywood or Hollywood, there are times when stars choose to walk out of the particular film due to the pay gap. The pay gap is a delicate reality. It happens at times that stars expect a certain amount of pay, but the makers of a film are not able to provide them with raise in the pay. There was a lot of news that Shah Rukh was supposed to play the main lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat,’ but he has asked for a huge amount but the filmmaker was not able to pay that much to the actor, due to which the lead went on to Shahid Kapoor, and he looks royal in the whole costume of the Raja Ratan Singh. There are times when a filmmaker does not get his perfect choice of star cast, but still, the movies go on to be a blockbuster, and the audience enjoys the film and celebrates the star cast of the film.”
Now, Hirav Shah takes a look at the list of Bollywood stars who missed blockbuster movies as they are offered less remuneration.
Table of Contents
1) Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Reportedly, Nawazuddin was offered the role of Anu Kapoor in Jolly LLB 2. But as the actor was keen on charging Rs 3.5 crore as his fee and some percentage in the profits, the makers of the film were not really happy with his demand and went ahead with Anu Kapoor.
2) Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor was the first choice for Naina’s role in Karan Johar’s Kal Ho Na Ho. But as Kareena insisted on paying twice than what she was taking at that time, Karan Johar roped in Preity Zinta for the same role, and the rest in the history as Preity Zinta emerged as a superstar and bagged good offers for more than a decade.
3) Shah Rukh Khan
Ace filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali approached star hero Shah Rukh Khan to play the male lead role in the 2018 film, Padmaavat. As SRK asked for Rs 90 crore as his remuneration, SLB dropped the idea of casting him in the film.
4) Sonakshi Sinha
Reportedly, Sonakshi Sinha was the first choice to play the female lead in Salman Khan’s Kick. But as Sonakshi demanded more than her market value, the makers went ahead with Jacqueline Fernandez as the female lead in the movie.
5) Sridevi
Ace director SS I’m an interview himself revealed that he approached yesteryear heroine Sridevi for the iconic Sivagami role in historic Baahubali. But as she demanded a whopping remuneration, the makers dropped the idea of casting her in the movie. Later, Ramya Krishna did the same role, and the film’s pan-India success brought good fame to Ramya Krishna.
6) Madhuri Dixit Nene
After she made her comeback with Aaja Nachle, Madhuri Dixit is floated with many offers, but as she has fixed her pay as six crores, many filmmakers went ahead with alternative options, say sources.
As they say.. Money Hai Toh Honey Hai!!
