Salman Khan has often been described as one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, commanding one of the highest pay cheques in the industry. However, if the latest reports are to be believed, the superstar has chosen friendship over finances for his next big project.
According to reports, Salman has signed Vamshi Paidipally’s upcoming film, tentatively titled SVC63, for an upfront fee of Rs 70 crore. The figure is significantly lower than the remuneration the actor is believed to command, with industry estimates placing his fee at upwards of Rs 120 crore for several years.
An insider was quoted as saying, “Salman, whose market value stands at anything over Rs 120 crore upwards for each film he has done for nearly 20 years, has reportedly given this discount to the SVC 63 makers because his longtime friend, Rafi Kazi, is the mediator on the project. Rafi’s name will appear as one of the producers of the film. And it is because of the friend factor that SK has agreed to taking a big cut in his fees upfront.”
While the reported figure has generated considerable buzz, there has been no official confirmation from Salman Khan or the makers regarding the actor’s remuneration. Reports also suggest it remains unclear whether the superstar has negotiated a share of the film’s backend revenues or retained any ancillary rights.
The film, directed by Vamshi Paidipally, is expected to feature Nayanthara opposite Salman Khan and is currently one of the most anticipated Hindi releases in production.
A superstar known for unconventional deals
Salman Khan’s reported fee reduction has once again drawn attention to the unique way he has structured his film deals over the past decade.
Since the success of Dabangg in 2010, the actor has frequently collaborated with projects backed by his family or his own banner, Salman Khan Films. Films like Dabangg and Bodyguard were closely associated with his home production ecosystem, allowing the actor to retain a significant stake in the intellectual property and long-term revenues.
Even when Salman has worked with outside producers, industry insiders have often claimed that he prefers arrangements involving profit participation, satellite rights or OTT rights rather than relying solely on a fixed acting fee. Such deals have enabled him to remain one of the highest-earning actors in Indian cinema, particularly on blockbuster franchises like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai and Tiger 3.
Beyond business, Salman has also earned a reputation for going out of his way to support friends in the industry. Over the years, he has made several special appearances without charging a fee. One of the most notable examples came during Son of Sardaar (2012), when he featured in the song Po Po. Ajay Devgn later revealed that Salman refused to accept payment for the appearance.
“You are a friend. I don’t charge friends money,” Salman reportedly told Devgn after tearing up the cheque offered to him.
If reports surrounding SVC63 prove accurate, the latest development would be another example of the actor placing personal relationships above commercial considerations. Until an official announcement is made, however, the reported pay cut remains industry speculation.
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