Why Did Abhishek Bachchan Charge Zero for ‘Raja Shivaji’? His Response Silences Trollers

Abhishek Bachchan did not charge a single penny for his role in Riteish Deshmukh’s film Raja Shivaji. In a recent interview, Abhishek revealed the heart-touching reason behind this decision.

An Emotional Transaction, Not a Business One

Riteish Deshmukh’s directorial Raja Shivaji is currently performing exceptionally well at the box office. While the film features a massive star cast, several actors—including Salman Khan, Vidya Balan, and Abhishek Bachchan—refused to take any acting fees for this historical epic.

Speaking to News18, Abhishek addressed the obsession with actor salaries:

“Nowadays, people on Reels only talk about facts and figures. The media also enjoys reporting on actor fees and vanity van demands. But ultimately, this is an art that starts from the heart. When we believe in something, we have no problem reducing our fee or not taking it at all. This isn’t a financial transaction; it’s an emotional one.”

Praising Riteish and Genelia’s Vision

Abhishek spoke highly of the husband-wife duo, Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, for their dedication to the project:

• More than a Project: He noted that they never treated Raja Shivaji as just a “film project,” but as something “sacred.”
• A First for Marathi Cinema: Abhishek highlighted that Marathi cinema had never seen a film of this grand scale before. He praised the duo for keeping the entire unit happy and motivated despite the immense pressure.
• Zero Complaints: “I didn’t hear a single complaint on set,” he shared, attributing the smooth production to Riteish’s leadership.

Family Over Scripts

Abhishek admitted that he agreed to the film without even reading the script.

“I consider Riteish and Genelia part of my family. They are incredibly loving, humble, and trustworthy,” he said.

Though he grew up in Mumbai and was familiar with the language, Raja Shivaji marks Abhishek’s debut in Marathi cinema. He confessed to feeling some pressure about speaking Marathi on screen for the first time, but credited Riteish’s guidance for helping him pull it off seamlessly.