Salman Took Rs 0, Amitabh Waived His Fee! Why Indian Stars Worked In Films For Free
From friendship to faith in a script, discover why Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and other Indian stars waived their acting fees.
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An actor’s remuneration can become a talking point long before a film reaches theatres. Crore-heavy figures circulate, budgets are dissected and a star’s presence is treated as a major financial calculation. Occasionally, though, the most interesting casting story begins with someone setting that calculation aside. A friendship matters more, a filmmaker offers an irresistible character, or a challenging script needs room to breathe. Sometimes, an enthusiastic yes arrives before the actor has even asked what the role is.
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Riteish Deshmukh’s ‘Raja Shivaji’ offered several such stories, with the actor-director revealing that Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and others waived their fees. They join a varied group of stars whose reasons for forgoing an acting salary range from personal loyalty to creative conviction.
Here are the stories behind those decisions.
1. Salman Khan - ‘Raja Shivaji’
Salman Khan’s appearance as Jiva Mahala, the warrior associated with protecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, began with the star effectively volunteering. Riteish recalled Salman asking which part he would play when they discussed the project at a New Year gathering. Later, Riteish confirmed that Salman had taken no fee, explaining the contribution through their bond of affection and respect.
Released on May 1, 2026, the historical drama was directed by Riteish, who also plays Shivaji Maharaj. Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan are among its principal cast. Salman’s action-packed cameo gave the film a major star presence, but, according to Riteish, it arrived through a relationship rather than a salary negotiation.
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2. Amitabh Bachchan - ‘Black’, ‘Paheli’ And ‘Chehre’
Amitabh Bachchan had wanted to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and ‘Black’ offered the opportunity he had been waiting for. He later wrote that he accepted no salary because being part of the film was reward enough. Released on February 4, 2005, the drama casts him as Debraj Sahai, the teacher of deafblind Michelle McNally, played by Rani Mukerji as an adult and Ayesha Kapur as a child. His reason for declining payment on Amol Palekar’s ‘Paheli’, released on June 24, 2005, was more personal. Big B recalled returning a cheque producer-star Shah Rukh Khan sent after his three-day shoot because he regarded SRK as family. He plays Gadariya, the shepherd who helps resolve the identity puzzle in the fantasy romance led by Shah Rukh and Rani, with Juhi Chawla and Anupam Kher among the supporting cast.
His generosity extended to another substantial role in Rumy Jafry’s ‘Chehre’, released on August 27, 2021. Jafry said Amitabh Bachchan liked the script so much that he insisted on working without payment and also paid his own travel and accommodation expenses for the Poland schedule. He plays Lateef Zaidi, a public prosecutor participating in an unsettling mock trial of a stranded visitor. The thriller stars Emraan Hashmi alongside Amitabh Bachchan, with Annu Kapoor, Dhritiman Chatterjee, Krystle D’Souza and Rhea Chakraborty.
3. Shah Rukh Khan - ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ And ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’
R Madhavan initially thought Shah Rukh Khan was simply being encouraging when he expressed interest in ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’. Then SRK’s team began asking for dates. According to Madhavan, the superstar took no fee or reimbursement for his caravan, assistants or costumes. Shah Rukh appears as himself, interviewing Madhavan’s scientist Nambi Narayanan in the Hindi and English versions. Directed by Madhavan and also starring Simran, the film released on July 1, 2022. His presence anchors the conversation through which the scientist tells his story.
Years earlier, SRK had extended similar support to producer and friend Vivek Vaswani for ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’. Vaswani said he agreed without payment or even listening to the script when approached with director Mudassar Aziz. Released on January 8, 2010, the romantic comedy stars Fardeen Khan, Sushmita Sen and Ishita Sharma, with Shah Rukh playing Pawan Raj Gandhi, or PRG. Vaswani described his contribution as a 42-minute role filmed over five days – a considerable commitment made on the strength of their friendship.
4. Suriya - ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’
Suriya took on the corresponding interviewer role in Rocketry’s Tamil version, appearing as himself opposite Madhavan’s Nambi Narayanan. His support extended beyond declining an acting fee: Madhavan said Suriya travelled to Mumbai with his team at his own expense and did not charge for the dialogue writer who translated his lines.
Madhavan also recalled Suriya brushing aside payment discussions, saying he would have done the same for him. Released on July 1, 2022, the Madhavan-directed film features Simran and an international ensemble. Suriya’s contribution turned a story about an unpaid appearance into one about a colleague actively shouldering the costs of helping a film get made.
5. Shahid Kapoor - ‘Haider’
Shahid Kapoor’s explanation for waiving his ‘Haider’ fee was refreshingly practical: adding his remuneration would have made the proposed budget unworkable. He wanted to make the film, so he agreed to remove that obstacle. In a NDTV interview, he also explained how keeping costs controlled helped protect the filmmakers’ creative freedom.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of ‘Hamlet’ casts Shahid as Haider Meer, a young Kashmiri man searching for answers after his father disappears. Released on October 2, 2014, it also stars Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor and Kay Kay Menon, with Irrfan in a special appearance. Shahid later stressed that waiving his fee was an exception; enthusiasm for a challenging film did not make paying the household bills any less necessary.
6. Deepika Padukone - ‘Jawan’
Deepika Padukone personally confirmed that she did not charge for ‘Jawan’. Explaining her approach to special appearances in an interview with THE WEEK, she said: “Any special appearance for Shah Rukh Khan, I am there.” Her account emphasised the trust and affection behind their professional relationship.
In Atlee’s film, Deepika plays Aishwarya Rathore, wife of SRK’s Vikram Rathore and mother of Azad, also played by SRK. Released on September 7, 2023, ‘Jawan’ also stars Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. Deepika’s extended appearance carries a crucial part of its emotional backstory, despite being an assignment for which she accepted no acting fee.
7. Prabhas - ‘Kannappa’
Vishnu Manchu wanted Prabhas in ‘Kannappa’ partly because his presence could help the film reach a wider audience. According to Vishnu’s interview with SCREEN, his friend agreed immediately, without insisting on hearing the role first, and repeatedly refused payment.
Prabhas appears as Rudra, a mysterious figure involved in testing the central character’s devotion. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, ‘Kannappa’ released on June 27, 2025, with Vishnu Manchu and Preity Mukhundhan leading a cast that includes Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal and Mohanlal. For Vishnu, securing Prabhas was a major boost to an ambitious personal project; the star’s willingness to help came before the usual commercial discussion.
8. Mohanlal - ‘Kannappa’
Mohanlal’s participation in the same film grew out of his affection and respect for Vishnu’s father, Mohan Babu. Vishnu said the Malayalam superstar agreed quickly and would not accept remuneration. He also recalled Mohanlal offering to book his own flights to New Zealand, asking the production to arrange accommodation for him and his staff.
Playing Kirata, Mohanlal joined the ensemble of Mukesh Kumar Singh’s June 27, 2025 release, led by Vishnu Manchu and Preity Mukhundhan. The travel anecdote is particularly revealing: his offer went beyond donating screen time. Vishnu described a senior colleague treating the project as something he wanted to support personally.
9. Akshay Kumar - ‘OMG 2’
Producer Ajit Andhare explicitly stated that Akshay Kumar did not charge an acting fee for ‘OMG 2’. He connected the decision to their shared commitment to unconventional, meaningful subjects, adding that Akshay stood alongside the producers in the film’s financial and creative risk.
That makes this a specific kind of fee waiver: Akshay remained financially involved in the project, so the statement does not establish that he had no potential commercial returns. In Amit Rai’s film, released on August 11, 2023, he plays Shiva’s messenger, guiding Pankaj Tripathi’s Kanti Sharan Mudgal through a crisis involving his son and s*x education. Yami Gautam also stars. His waived salary formed part of a wider commitment to getting the film made.
10. Abhishek Bachchan - ‘Raja Shivaji’
Abhishek Bachchan’s yes to ‘Raja Shivaji’ came before the usual questions. Riteish said he agreed without even asking which character he would play. Abhishek subsequently explained his willingness to waive a fee through his belief in the film and his family-like relationship with Riteish and Genelia.
He portrays Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, Shivaji Maharaj’s elder brother, in the historical drama — not Shivaji’s son of the same first name. Directed by and starring Riteish, the film released on May 1, 2026, alongside performances from Genelia, Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Balan. For Abhishek, the scale of the production mattered, but so did the people mounting it: he described participation as an emotional investment rather than an ordinary transaction.
11. Vidya Balan - ‘Raja Shivaji’
Vidya Balan’s performance as Khadija Sultana, also identified as Badi Begum in the film’s cast listing, brought a formidable political presence to ‘Raja Shivaji’. Riteish named her among the actors who worked without a fee, attributing their support collectively to love and respect.
Released on May 1, 2026, the Riteish-directed film stars him as Shivaji Maharaj, with Genelia, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Bhagyashree among the ensemble. Vidya’s participation was part of a wider contribution: Riteish also named Fardeen Khan, Boman Irani and Genelia, and said he had forgone a fee himself. His account described several relationships coming together to support the same ambitious film.
12. Vikrant Massey - ‘O’Romeo’
Vikrant Massey’s decision to work without a fee had a history. Vishal Bhardwaj said the actor had committed to the project years earlier and honoured that promise after his career grew significantly following ‘12th Fail’. The filmmaker also recalled Vikrant explaining that ‘Maqbool’ had inspired his interest in a film career.
Vikrant appears as Billu, the husband of Triptii Dimri’s Afshan, in Bhardwaj’s ‘O’Romeo’, released on February 13, 2026. Led by Shahid Kapoor and Triptii, the gangster drama also features Nana Patekar and Avinash Tiwary. His approximately eight-to-nine-day assignment became a personal tribute to a filmmaker whose work had helped shape his aspirations.
13. Tamannaah Bhatia - ‘O’Romeo’
Tamannaah Bhatia also waived her ‘O’Romeo’ fee, with Vishal Bhardwaj citing the film’s budget constraints and her generous response to the role. Her commitment expanded beyond the initial plan: she reportedly filmed for nearly 12 days and participated in workshops and rehearsals.
She plays Rabia, wife of Avinash Tiwary’s Jalal, in a role that contributes to an important turn in the story. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and released on February 13, 2026, the film stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, with Nana Patekar, Disha Patani and Farida Jalal among its ensemble. The contribution involved preparation and an extended schedule, giving substance to the director’s appreciation of her support.
14. Rajinikanth - ‘Pedarayudu’
Rajinikanth’s contribution to ‘Pedarayudu’ began before he faced the camera. Mohan Babu recalled that his friend encouraged him to remake the Tamil film ‘Nattamai’ and volunteered to play Paparayudu. Reporting describes Rajinikanth waiving his fee to support Mohan Babu, who said the superstar never asked him for anything.
Directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty and released on June 15, 1995, the Telugu drama stars Mohan Babu in a double role, with Bhanupriya and Soundarya. Rajinikanth appears as the formidable elder Paparayudu. Mohan Babu later acknowledged giving him a personal gift, a detail worth retaining alongside the waived remuneration. The gesture was rooted in friendship, with Rajinikanth helping bring the project together as well as appearing in it.
15. Nayanthara - ‘Ethir Neechal’
Nayanthara’s appearance in the ‘Local Boys’ number from ‘Ethir Neechal’ came without a performance fee, according to producer Dhanush. In a television interview, he recalled that she accepted the invitation because they were friends and declined to take money from him. Sivakarthikeyan also remembered how readily she agreed to participate.
Released on May 1, 2013, R S Durai Senthilkumar’s Tamil comedy-drama stars Sivakarthikeyan, Priya Anand and Nandita Swetha. Nayanthara appears as a dancer in the song, which also features Dhanush and Sivakarthikeyan, with music by Anirudh Ravichander. Her contribution was brief, but it brought a major star into Dhanush’s production through a personal favour rather than a fee agreement.
16. Rishi Kapoor - ‘Manto’
Rishi Kapoor was among the actors who worked without payment to support Nandita Das’ ‘Manto’. The filmmaker said he agreed at their first meeting. In a separate Rediff interview, she recalled that he initially discouraged another guest-appearance request, but eventually agreed because he wanted to support her.
Rishi Kapoor plays a sleazy film producer, a distinctly unflattering character he embraced for a brief encounter with Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Saadat Hasan Manto. Directed by Nandita Das and released in Indian theatres on September 21, 2018, the biographical drama also stars Rasika Dugal as Safia and Tahir Raj Bhasin as Shyam. His involvement formed part of the goodwill that helped Das assemble an accomplished ensemble around the writer’s story.
