From Rags To Riches: The First Salaries Of These B-Town Stars Will Surprise You!

Considering where they started, Bollywood actors have given their sweat and blood to build their careers. However, the reality of all successful people is that we only get to see the end result and not the years of hard work that went into getting them where they are today. In fact, knowing that the net worth of a Bollywood celeb can be in hundreds of crores today, it’s difficult to believe that these guys started working at an income that is much lower than anything you would’ve imagined. Here’re the salaries that were written on the first check received by your favourite Bollywood stars. Prepare to be shocked. 

1. Amitabh Bachchan

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The Shahenshah of Bollywood, who single-handedly rules both small and the big screen started working as an executive in a shipping firm in Kolkata. His first salary was Rs 500. Today, his net worth is $400 million. 

2. Irrfan Khan

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Irrfan Khan, one of the most precious treasures of Bollywood, started working as a tuition teacher. This man who breathes life into his characters like nobody else once charged Rs 25 to teach one child. Today, his net worth is $50 million.  

3. Aamir Khan

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Mr Perfectionist has always had a reputation for in Bollywood. Despite being picky about his films, the man’s net worth is around $200 million. Aamir does belong to a family familiar to Bollywood but if you think that gave him access to big numbers on his paycheck, you’d be wrong. He started working as an assistant director and was paid Rs 1,000 for his first job. 

4. Shah Rukh Khan

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Everyone knows Shah Rukh’s rags to riches story but did you know he was paid Rs 50 for his first job? The star who has travelled to both sides of fame by giving back-to-back hits and back-to-back flops has a net worth of $600 million. 

5. Akshay Kumar

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Our seedha-sadha Akshay Kumar is known as an actor who knows how to mint money left, right and centre. He started his career as a waiter and chef for a restaurant in Bangkok. He was paid Rs 1,500 as his first salary. Today, his net worth is $150 million.   

6. Hrithik Roshan

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Hrithik Roshan received his first salary as a child actor. The star kid was given an amount of Rs 100 which he used to buy himself a toy car. Now, the net worth of the Superhero of Bollywood is more than $375 million.  

7. Kalki Koechlin 

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Today, with short films and stories like Dev D, Made In Heaven, Sacred Games 2, Kalki Koechlin has established her niche but as a student, she waited tables to support her finances. She received 40 pounds as her first salary and she immediately used it to pay her rent.   

8. Dharmendra

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Dharmendra has done over 200 films and is probably the only actor alive in Bollywood who can compete with the success chart of Amitabh Bachchan. However, his start was humble as Rs 51. He received the amount for his film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. And even when he’s not exactly at the peak of his career at the moment, his estimated net worth is $70 million.  

9. Rohit Shetty

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As many cars as he may buy, burn and destroy in his films, Rohit Shetty has also had humble beginnings. Today, he is known as the hit-machine of Bollywood but he started his work in Bollywood as an assistant director to Kuku Kohli. At the job, he was being paid Rs 35 per day. But well, now his net worth is $38 million.  

10. Priyanka Chopra

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The global star who is enjoying the best of both worlds today with a net worth of $16 million, was once received a paycheck of Rs 5,000 which she happily gave to her mother Madhu Chopra. Since then, this mother-daughter duo has taken over the world. 

11. Randeep Hooda

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Did you know Randeep Hooda’s first job was at a Chinese restaurant in Australia? The actor who literally gives his role whatever it takes used to earn $8 per hour and $1.3 for every order he delivered. Now, his net worth is $10 million.  

12. Manoj Bajpayee

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Manoj Bajpayee, one of the most talented actors Bollywood has ever seen, used to help Barry John in directing plays. He used to make Rs 1,200 for the same. From rejections to directors chasing him, he has seen it all before reaching a net worth of $20 million.   

13. Naseeruddin Shah

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Everyone can agree that there are a few actors in Bollywood like Naseeruddin Shah who are talented and push all their boundaries to become the lead from a supporting actor. Naseeruddin Shah, who started acting at the age of 16, stood behind actor Rajendra Kumar for a funeral scene that got him Rs 7.50. The actor’s estimated net worth is $30 million. 

14. Sonam Kapoor

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Sonam Kapoor wanted to start acting but Daddy Kapoor wanted her to gain knowledge of the details first. So, Sonam worked as an assistant director with Sanjay Leela Bhansali before becoming the fashionista that she is. She was paid Rs 3,000 for her work. Her net worth is $14.5 million. 

15. Emraan Hashmi

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Emraan Hashmi worked as a child artist for a Good Knight commercial. The actor was 7-years-old and was paid Rs 2,500 for his work. Today, his net worth is $12 million.

16. Rajnikanth

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There isn’t anything Rajnikanth can’t do but it took a lot for him to reach his numbers. Before he became the second highest paid actor in Asia, he used to be a bus conductor. Currently, his net worth is $50 million.

So, stop complaining and work, work, work because you still have a chance to become a millionaire…

Also Read: 35 Really, Really Dumb Statements Made By Bollywood Celebrities! , 8 Celebrity Pairs Who Hate Each Other In The Big Bad World Of Bollywood! and Top Bollywood Actress Net Worth

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