This Was The First Bollywood Actor To Be Offered Rs 1 Crore Fee, But Took Only…

It’s common for Bollywood stars to charge sky-high fees today. But back in the 1990s, long before such figures became the norm, one actor was offered what was then considered an astronomical amount. That actor is none other than Amitabh Bachchan. (News18 Hindi)

Known for his powerful performances and towering screen presence, Amitabh Bachchan has played a wide range of characters in a career spanning over five decades. One of his memorable films, Aaj Ka Arjun, released in 1990, was produced and directed by KC Bokadia. The film starred Jaya Prada opposite Big B and opened to record-breaking numbers at the box office. Also featuring actors like Suresh Oberoi, Kiran Kumar, and Amrish Puri, the film became a major hit. (News18 Hindi)

It was every filmmaker’s dream to work with Amitabh Bachchan, and KC Bokadia was no different. Aaj Ka Arjun marked his directorial debut, and to bring Big B on board, he offered him an unprecedented fee of Rs 1 crore, a sum no actor had charged at the time. (News18 Hindi)

In an interview with Prabhat Khabar, Bokadia revealed, “I was already working as a producer, and Aaj Ka Arjun was my first film as a director. Amitabh ji’s manager was a bit hesitant because I hadn’t directed before. As a producer, I had delivered many hits. His manager said Amit ji charges Rs 80 lakh, but I knew he usually took Rs 70 lakh.” (News18 Hindi)

Instead of negotiating down, Bokadia surprised them by saying he was ready to pay Rs 1 crore. “Perhaps the manager thought I would back out, but I was eager to work with Amit ji. I said I’d pay Rs 1 crore if that’s what it takes.” (News18 Hindi)

However, in a twist that speaks volumes about Bachchan’s humility, he ended up taking only Rs 70 lakh, the amount he usually charged, once he agreed to do the film. Bokadia said the two shared a great bond during the shoot, and the film became a box office success. (News18 Hindi)

According to trade website Saccanilk, Aaj Ka Arjun was made on a budget of Rs 3.5 crore and earned Rs 7 crore in India. Its total worldwide collection touched Rs 10 crore, making it a certified superhit. (News18 Hindi)