23 Years of Mission Kashmir: This is how much Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Sanjay Dutt were paid; Preity was initially going to be paid more than Hrithik 23 : Bollywood News

23 Years of Mission Kashmir: This is how much Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Sanjay Dutt were paid; Preity was initially going to be paid more than Hrithik

By Fenil Seta -

October 28, 2023 - 2:00 PM IST

Mission Kashmir (2000) completed 23 years on October 27. The film created tremendous buzz due to Hrithik Roshan’s presence and also the casting of Sanjay Dutt and Preity Zinta. The music, meanwhile, had also worked big time. Hence, it opened more than Shah Rukh Khan-Amitabh Bachchan starrer Mohabbatein, which was also released on October 27, 2000. On Mission Kashmir’s 23rd anniversary, we bring to you an interesting trivia about how much the actors were paid.

23 Years of Mission Kashmir: This is how much Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Sanjay Dutt were paid; Preity was initially going to be paid more than Hrithik

This piece of information was revealed by writer Suketu Mehta in his book ‘Maximum City’. Suketu extensively spent time with producer-director Vidhu Vinod Chopra when Mission Kashmir was being made. In the book, he has put out the contract that the acclaimed filmmaker sent to Sanjay Dutt. He said that the contract stated that Vidhu would pay the actor Rs. 25 lakhs for the action thriller, that too only if the film breaks even. If it doesn't, he won't get a single paisa. And if the film is a success, he'll get an additional Rs. 25 lakhs as bonus.

As for Hrithik Roshan, he was told that he'll be paid Rs. 11 lakhs if Mission Kashmir breaks even, Rs. 1 lakh if it doesn’t and a bonus of Rs. 10 lakhs if the film is a hit. Preity Zinta was told that her payment was Rs. 15 lakhs if the film made money, Rs. 1 lakh if it did not and a bonus of Rs. 10 lakhs if the film emerged as a success.

Many would raise eyebrows to learn that Preity Zinta was paid more than Hrithik Roshan initially. However, this was a time when Hrithik’s debut film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000) had not yet been released. Preity, meanwhile, had made a mark with Dil Se (1998) and Soldier (1998) by then. In fact, Suketu Mehta wrote that casting Hrithik was a gamble. This is because had Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai flopped, it would have dented the buzz for Mission Kashmir.

Thankfully, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was not just a hit but a super-blockbuster. Hrithik became an overnight celebrity and it added to the hype for Mission Kashmir. Suketu Mehta also added that the payment of Hrithik increased once his popularity swelled.

Also Read: 23 Years of Mission Kashmir: Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan were the original choices; due to budget constraints, SRK was offered just Rs. 30 lakhs