Why Did Shah Rukh Khan Act for Free in These Films?

News Desk

Islamabad: Popularly known as King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan reigns over millions of hearts with his remarkable acting talent.

In June, Forbes released a list of the highest-paid actors in India, confirming Shah Rukh Khan as the top earner in the Indian film industry this year, according to data from IMDb.

However, what many may not know is that throughout his illustrious career, King Khan has acted in seven films without receiving any remuneration.

Here’s a look at the films in which Shah Rukh Khan performed for free:
Hai Ram (2000)

At the trailer launch of “Indian 2,” Kamal Haasan revealed that Shah Rukh Khan acted in “Hai Ram” without payment. In this film, he portrayed Amjad Ali Khan, the best friend of the protagonist, Sakit Ram. Kamal Haasan expressed gratitude for Khan’s love and dedication to the art.

Crazy 4 (2008)

Shah Rukh Khan made a special appearance in the song “Break Free” from “Crazy 4,” dancing for free due to the film’s low budget. His participation significantly boosted the film’s promotional efforts and profitability.

Dulha Mil Gaya (2010)

In “Dulha Mil Gaya,” Shah Rukh Khan played a cameo role as Pawan Raj Gandhi without any compensation. His performance alongside Sushmita Sen added considerable value to the film.

Bhoothnath Returns (2014)

In “Bhoothnath Returns,” Shah Rukh Khan worked for free, portraying Aditya Sharma, the father of the young character Walnut. His star power greatly increased audience interest in the film.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

Shah Rukh Khan appeared as Tahir Taliyar Khan in “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” directed by Karan Johar, without compensation. Johar appreciated Khan’s generosity by gifting him expensive clothing as a token of gratitude.

Brahmastra (2022)

In the blockbuster “Brahmastra,” Shah Rukh Khan made a cameo appearance as Mohan Bhargou. Despite the film’s significant box office success, Khan shot for two weeks without charging director Karan Johar.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)

Shah Rukh Khan made a guest appearance in the Hindi version of “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,” interviewing aerospace scientist Nambi Narayanan. Actor R. Madhavan confirmed that Khan did not receive any compensation for his role in the project.

Through these contributions, Shah Rukh Khan has demonstrated not only his talent but also his generosity, further solidifying his status as an iconic figure in Bollywood.