Salman Khan has always been known as someone who values relationships over money in Bollywood — and if the latest reports are anything to go by, that reputation holds very true once again. According to media reports, the superstar did not charge any fee for his appearance in the upcoming Marathi film Raja Shivaji, reportedly doing the film purely out of love and goodwill for his friend Riteish Deshmukh.
The film, which has been generating quite a buzz in Maharashtra and beyond, features Salman Khan in what is being described as a special cameo appearance. And it is being claimed that this cameo came without any price tag — something that, knowing Salman Khan’s track record, does not come as a complete surprise to those who have been following his career closely.
Riteish Deshmukh’s Emotional Statement About Salman Khan
Producer and actor Riteish Deshmukh, who is deeply involved with Raja Shivaji, reportedly made an emotional statement about Salman Khan’s involvement with the project. According to reports, Riteish expressed his gratitude and described Salman’s contribution as nothing short of a blessing for the film. He is said to have shared how Salman agreed to be part of the project purely on the basis of their friendship and his personal respect for the legacy of the great Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
While an official confirmation of exact financial terms has not been issued, media reports suggest that no fees were exchanged and that Salman Khan came on board simply because Riteish asked him to. That, for those who know Bollywood’s inner workings, says a great deal.
It Is Not The First Time — Salman Khan’s Long History Of Working For Free Or On Goodwill Terms
If you think this is a one-off gesture, think again. Over the years, there have been multiple instances where Salman Khan has reportedly worked without charging a fee, taken a token amount, or agreed to profit-sharing arrangements — often for friends, for causes he believed in, or simply because someone needed him.
Here is a look at some of the most talked-about instances:
1. Andaz Apna Apna (1994) — A Friendship Favour That Became A Classic
One of the most beloved cult comedies of Indian cinema, Andaz Apna Apna, reportedly saw both Salman Khan and Aamir Khan working together at a time when they were not the biggest stars they later became. According to reports from that era, Salman came on board largely because of his relationship with director Rajkumar Santoshi and the film’s producer. The film flopped on release but is now considered one of Bollywood’s greatest comedies. It is being claimed that Salman’s charges for the film were far below market rate at the time, owing to his personal bond with the team.
2. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) — A Brief But Iconic Appearance
Salman Khan’s brief but memorable appearance in Karan Johar’s debut directorial Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is one of Bollywood’s most fondly remembered cameos. According to reports, Salman agreed to appear in the film as a favour to Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, with media reports suggesting that he charged little to nothing for the role. The cameo became iconic, and Salman has since spoken warmly about how it was done entirely out of friendship.
3. Om Shanti Om (2007) — The Star-Studded Item Number For Free
Farah Khan’s blockbuster Om Shanti Om featured one of the most celebrated title songs in recent Bollywood history, packed with almost every major star of that era. Salman Khan was among those who reportedly appeared in the song without any professional fees. It is being claimed that most of the stars who featured in the special number did so purely as a gesture of goodwill towards Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.
4. Heroes (2008) — A Cause Bigger Than Money
The film Heroes, which was made as a tribute to the Indian Army, reportedly saw Salman Khan joining the project at a significantly reduced fee. According to media reports at the time, Salman felt strongly about the subject matter and chose to prioritise the film’s message over financial gain.
5. Tubelight (2017) — Taking A Revenue-Sharing Model
There have been reports over the years that Salman Khan, especially for certain productions under his own banner or for films made by close friends, has opted for a profit-sharing model rather than an upfront fee. Tubelight, directed by Kabir Khan, is one such film where, according to media reports, the financial arrangement was structured differently from Salman’s standard deals.
6. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) — A Personal Film With Personal Terms
While Bajrangi Bhaijaan was one of Salman Khan’s biggest commercial successes, it is being claimed that Salman had a deep personal connect with the story and that his financial arrangement for the film was structured partly around profit-sharing rather than a full upfront fee. The film went on to become a historic blockbuster, making the arrangement extremely rewarding — but the point remains that Salman chose to back the story over demanding a fixed fee upfront.
Why Does Salman Khan Keep Doing This?
Industry insiders and close associates of Salman Khan have often spoken about how he operates on a very relationship-driven code in Bollywood. According to reports, Salman believes strongly in the idea that if a project is meaningful — whether it is a friend’s dream, a subject he respects, or a cause that matters — money should not be the determining factor.
Media reports suggest that Salman Khan’s team has, on multiple occasions, structured his involvement in certain films on the basis of goodwill, profit-sharing, or token fees. While this might seem unusual for a star of his stature, those close to him say this is simply how he has always functioned. His commitment to friends and his instinct to help when asked is, by most accounts, completely genuine.
Raja Shivaji — What We Know So Far
Raja Shivaji is one of the most anticipated Marathi films in recent times, with Riteish Deshmukh leading the project with tremendous personal passion. The film deals with the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — a subject that holds enormous cultural and emotional weight for millions of people across Maharashtra and India.
Salman Khan’s reported involvement in the film, even in a cameo capacity, is expected to give it a massive boost, particularly in terms of national visibility. According to reports, the cameo is significant enough to create a real impact on the film’s promotional buzz.
It is being claimed that Salman agreed to be part of the film after Riteish personally reached out to him, and that the decision was taken almost immediately — a testament to both the bond the two actors share and Salman’s respect for the subject matter.
A Superstar Who Puts Relationships First
In an industry often criticised for being transactional and ruthlessly commercial, Salman Khan’s reported habit of working for free, reduced fees, or on goodwill terms stands out as genuinely unusual for someone of his star power. Whether it is a cameo for a friend, a title song for a colleague’s film, or a full-fledged role for a project he believes in — according to reports, Salman has consistently shown that for him, the person asking matters as much as the professional deal on the table.
Raja Shivaji is, in many ways, just the latest chapter in this long and continuing story. And if media reports are to be believed, Bhaijaan once again proved that the biggest things in Bollywood do not always come with a price tag.
Stay tuned for more updates on Raja Shivaji and Salman Khan’s upcoming projects.