- Advertisement -
The passing of veteran character actor Mushtaq Khan has prompted fans and cinephiles to revisit his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema, alongside the lesser-known struggles he faced behind the glamour of Bollywood. Among his most unforgettable roles was that of Ballu, the comical henchman in Anees Bazmee’s 2007 blockbuster comedy Welcome, featuring legendary dialogues like “Meri ek taang nakli hai…”. However, an interview of the late actor that surfaced online revealed a harsh reality about the payment structures in the film industry. Mushtaq Khan had previously opened up about receiving a meager ₹1 lakh for his work in the multi-starrer project, pointing out that his remuneration remained completely unchanged even when the shooting schedule extended far beyond the initially agreed timeframe.
Recounting the experience, the actor explained that contracts for supporting artists are typically mapped out for a specific duration, such as 20 or 25 days, with fees negotiated accordingly. In the case of Welcome, after the designated days wrapped up, the makers requested an additional 10 days, followed by another stretch of 15 days. Despite this extensive physical and professional commitment, the extra work did not result in any upward revision of his payment. He candidly expressed that such practices were unfair to character artists who form the backbone of major productions.
Highlighting the deep financial disparities within large-scale movie production, Mushtaq drew a comparison with the daily wage setups provided to the support staff of lead actors like Akshay Kumar. He noted that while supporting actors were bound by a flat, lump-sum fee regardless of how many extra days they spent on set, crew members and staff worked on a comfortable per-day payment structure. Despite the professional grievances regarding remuneration and the demanding schedules, the veteran actor’s dedication to his craft ultimately immortalized the character, cementing his legacy in the hearts of comedy lovers everywhere.
To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you
- Advertisement -
