Sushant Singh Rajput was one of the brightest and most talented actors in Indian cinema. His sudden death on June 14, 2020, shocked the entire nation. Even today, fans remember him with love and admiration. Known for his charming personality, brilliant acting, and strong screen presence, Sushant had a career filled with memorable performances. Along with fame, his growing popularity also brought him some impressive paychecks.
Sushant’s Humble Beginning on Television
Before entering Bollywood, Sushant became a household name with the popular TV show Pavitra Rishta, where he played the role of Manav Deshmukh. His co-star, Ankita Lokhande, reportedly earned Rs 2000 per day in the beginning. Though Sushant’s TV salary is not clearly known, it is believed to be in a similar range.
Bollywood Debut and First Salary
Sushant made his big-screen debut in 2013 with Kai Po Che, directed by Abhishek Kapoor. While his paycheck for this film is not known, his second film Shuddh Desi Romance with Yash Raj Films (YRF) gave us the first clear idea of his earnings. He was reportedly paid Rs 30 lakh for this film. Sushant had signed a three-film deal with YRF. As per the contract, if his first film worked, he would get Rs 60 lakh for the second one. But thanks to his rising popularity, he received Rs 1 crore for his third YRF film, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!
Sushant’s Biggest Paycheck: Chhichhore
Sushant’s highest-earning film was Chhichhore, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. He was paid a massive Rs 8 crore for the film, which turned out to be a big hit. The film starred Shraddha Kapoor, Naveen Polishetty, and others. This paycheck was nearly 29 times more than his earlier salary of Rs 30 lakh for Shuddh Desi Romance. Clearly, Sushant’s journey from TV to Bollywood was marked by continuous growth.
Dil Bechara – A Special Film, A Special Gesture
Sushant’s last film, Dil Bechara, was very close to his heart. Directed by his best friend Mukesh Chhabra, Sushant reportedly charged only Rs 4 crore – slashing his usual fee by 50%. This was a kind gesture for a friend and showed his emotional connection to the project. The film released after his death and remains one of his most loved performances.
The Most Touching Reward: PK
One of the most emotional stories from Sushant’s career is about his cameo in PK. He played Sarfaraz, a Pakistani boy who falls in love with Anushka Sharma’s character. Sushant didn’t take any money for the role. In return, director Rajkumar Hirani gave him Rs 21 as a token of appreciation. Hirani also gifted him some of the best books on filmmaking, knowing how passionate Sushant was about cinema. For Sushant, this small but meaningful gesture was the best reward of all.
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