'Money? I won't take it': Javed Sheikh reveals he refused fee for 'Om Shanti Om'

Veteran actor recalls on-set friendship with Shah Rukh Khan, says Indian star took care of him

Veteran actor Javed Sheikh revealed that he initially refused to accept a fee for his role in the Indian film Om Shanti Om, calling it an honour to work alongside Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. However, Sheikh revealed, filmmaker Farah Khan and Shah Rukh insisted on paying him.

In an interview, Sheikh reflected on playing Shah Rukh's father in the 2007 blockbuster, recalling how welcomed and appreciated he had felt throughout his time on set. "We don’t stay in touch, but we had a great friendship when I was there. The time I spent with Shah Rukh during Om Shanti Om was excellent, superb," the actor said.

Discussing salary negotiations, Sheikh said he never intended to charge for his work on the film. He stated, "Farah Khan wanted me to play Shah Rukh's father and they started discussing my fee. I said, 'Money? I won’t take it.' They said that was impossible." The actor added, "I told them it was such a big honour that, out of everyone in India, they had chosen a Pakistani actor to play Shah Rukh Khan’s father. Money wasn’t important."

Sheikh shared that he eventually offered to accept a symbolic payment, recalling that he had said he would take one rupee. However, he noted, "When Farah and Shah Rukh found out, they refused. They wanted to return the goodwill, so they gave me a very good deal."

The actor also praised Shah Rukh for the respect and care he showed him on set. "He also took so much care of me. That was unbelievable," Sheikh said.

As the conversation shifted towards the actor's early struggles in the entertainment industry, Sheikh revealed that it took him nearly a decade to establish himself despite his passion for acting. He stated, "When I became a hero, my family was happy, but my father was very strict. I used to run from school to Radio Pakistan because I loved performing. Once I got a striped shirt from somewhere in Karachi and when my father saw it, he ripped it apart and said, 'You want to be a hero?'"

Sheikh revealed that his father's support often depended on the success of his films. "When I became a hero, he hugged me and said, 'Wow, my son is a hero.' Then if my film flopped, he would tell me to leave this profession and do something else." To reassure his father, the actor took on other jobs, including a clerical one, while he continued to pursue acting. "I thought I would follow my passion on the side," he stated.

After his debut film Dhamaka (1974) failed, Sheikh shared that he landed a small role in a television drama that gave him hope. Saying he only had a two-line role, the actor revealed that when his name was announced for the part, his father looked at him with shock.

Recalling one of the most painful setbacks of his career, Sheikh shared that during the making of Bivi Ho To Aisi (1982), the producers considered replacing him because distributors were unwilling to buy the film due to his earlier box office failures. "They called me to a hotel for a meeting. There were around 10 to 15 people there. They told me the film wasn’t being bought because it had flop actor Javed Sheikh from Dhamaka."

The rejection left him devastated, the actor said, revealing that he cried because of it. Five years later, however, Sheikh said his fortunes changed with the hit drama Ankahi, which gained popularity across Pakistan and India, helping revive his career.

The actor concluded by reflecting on the outlook that guided his career: "I focus on what I can do, not who is in front of me. I never had jealousy in me. I just knew I had to keep getting better."

The veteran actor has remained active in both film and on television screens, with his recent projects including Delhi Gate, Aag Lagey Basti Mein alongside Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa, and the drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.