Ranbir Kapoor's commitment to his craft has been a talking point in Bollywood for years. Recently, director Anurag Basu revealed that Kapoor, who is often hailed as one of the most versatile actors in Hindi cinema, took a pay cut for their film "Jagga Jasoos". Basu disclosed that Kapoor was "not chasing money" during the making of the film.
"Jagga Jasoos," a musical adventure co-produced by Kapoor himself, faced numerous challenges during its production. The film, which also starred Katrina Kaif, was a passion project for both Kapoor and Basu. The director has mentioned the inordinate delays in the movie's making, with Ranbir being busy shooting and promoting four films during the same period. Despite the film finally releasing, it failed to impress at the box office. Ranbir stated that the failure of "Jagga Jasoos" hurt him the most in his career.
Despite the film's box office failure, Basu's recent statement highlights Kapoor's dedication to the project. According to Basu, Kapoor's priority was the film's creative vision, even if it meant compromising on his remuneration. This decision underscores Kapoor's passion for acting and filmmaking, suggesting that he values artistic expression over financial gain.
Kapoor's willingness to take a pay cut for "Jagga Jasoos" isn't an isolated incident of actors making financial adjustments for a movie. In the past, there have been instances where actors have slashed their fees to support projects they believe in. This move is often seen as a gesture of solidarity towards the filmmakers and a commitment to ensuring the film's completion.
Ranbir Kapoor, who comes from a film family, began his Bollywood journey with "Saawariya" in 2007. While the film didn't perform well, Kapoor's career trajectory saw a steady rise with hits like "Raajneeti", "Wake Up Sid", and "Bachna Ae Haseeno". By 2013, he was reportedly charging ₹7 crore for "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" and ₹15 crore for "Besharam". In recent years, Kapoor has commanded significant fees, reportedly earning ₹20 crore for "Shamshera" and between ₹25-35 crore for "Brahmastra Part One: Shiva". Reports suggest he charged a massive ₹60-70 crore for "Animal", making him one of the highest-paid actors in the industry.
In 2017, Kapoor's yearly earnings were reported to be $8.5 million, placing him among the top-paid actors in Bollywood. However, it was Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" that significantly contributed to this figure, as "Jagga Jasoos" didn't fare well at the box office.
Even with the knowledge that "Jagga Jasoos" was not a commercial success, Kapoor had stated that if the film failed to perform well, he would compensate the distributors. He mentioned that it was a tradition that his grandfather (Raj Kapoor) also followed.
Ranbir Kapoor's gesture of taking a pay cut for "Jagga Jasoos" demonstrates his dedication to filmmaking and his willingness to prioritize artistic vision over financial gains. Despite the film's struggles, Kapoor's commitment to the project remains a testament to his passion for cinema.