EXCLUSIVE: “We used to do dance shows, for which we used to get Rs. 500; I brought a fridge from the first 4000 rupees which I earned” – Farah Khan 500 : Bollywood News

Farah Khan is one of the most accomplished choreographers of Bollywood. Her success story is extraordinary; she started working as a background dancer and slowly made her way up the ladder.

EXCLUSIVE: “We used to do dance shows, for which we used to get Rs. 500; I brought a fridge from the first 4000 rupees which I earned” – Farah Khan

On May 22, Farah Khan completed 30 years in Bollywood as a choreographer. Her first film, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar had released in 1992 on that day. On this joyous occasion, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to Farah in her palatial residence and when the topic steered towards what she got paid for choreographing the initial songs, the choreographer-filmmaker gave an interesting answer.

Farah Khan said, “I must have been paid Rs. 5000. My ambition at that time was to charge Rs. 10,000 a song. I had planned that in a month, I’ll work on 4 songs. Hence, I’d get Rs. 40,000 a month and that would make my life set. Hence, I feel gratitude as my dreams were much smaller than what I have got. We used to live in a house which was the size of this carpet (points at the carpet in her house).”

In an interview a few years ago, Farah Khan had opened up about her struggles and financial condition while growing up. She had revealed that she brought a fridge from the first of her earnings, which was a mere Rs 4000.

When asked if this happened before the release of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Farah Khan replied in the affirmative and said, “This was when I started dancing. We used to do dance shows, for which we used to get Rs. 500. On New Year’s night, we’d get Rs. 1000 a show. We used to do 4-5 shows. We’d hire a car. Everybody would pool in Rs. 300-400. And then we’ll go to the New Year shows from Colaba to Madh Island. This way, we’d earn Rs. 3000-4000. That’s when we got a fridge.”

Why did she buy a fridge over other appliances or items? Farah Khan narrated, “Our fridge had conked off for years. We didn’t have the money to repair it. So, we used to take a tapeli of water and give it to Pal aunty, who was our neighbour. She used to keep it in the fridge. It would turn into ice and then we’d break it. Hence, the fridge was the first thing I brought.”

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