Gajraj Rao recalls being called “difficult” as he refused to reduce his fee; says, “I struggled for 25 years” 25 : Bollywood News

With films such as Badhaai Ho, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, and now, Satyaprem Ki Katha, actor Gajraj Rao has carved a niche for himself. However, his road to success was not a cakewalk. Speaking of the same, the veteran actress, recently, opened up on refusing to reduce his remuneration.

Gajraj Rao recalls being called “difficult” as he refused to reduce his fee; says, “I struggled for 25 years”

Reflecting on his journey, on the Varun Duggi podcast, Rao asserted, “I did a lot of jobs, and I didn’t have the proper support system around me to guide me in the right direction. At one point, the financial situation was very difficult. It’s easy for me to say this now, in an air-conditioned environment, but when you don’t have food, all your dreams and fantasies go for a toss. And it was important at that time to provide for the family.”

The Bholaa actor further added, “I like having financial security now, because I’ve worked hard for 25-30 years. I like expensive phones, travelling, and staying in nice hotels, I have no shame in admitting this. I don’t want to feel bad about staying in 5-star hotels and travelling business class. I want it for myself, and I want it for my family; I want to give them the best possible. I don’t want to be in two minds if someone falls ill and needs a hospital.”

As the conversation progressed further, Gajraj recalled how a casting director recently told him that he had become ‘difficult’ because of his demands. Rao recounted, “He told me to reduce my fees, saying it’s only 20 days work. I told him I wasn’t even charging for those 20 days, I was working for free. I told him that I was charging for all the years of ‘homework’ that I’d done to get here. This was my fees for all those days when I survived on 20 chais, slept hungry, listened to abuse, I used to walk on foot from Town to Andheri… These 20 days are free.”

Coming to the professional front, the 52-year-old actor will be next seen in Maidaan, starring Ajay Devgn in the lead.

Also Read: Imtiaz Ali produced Gajraj Rao and Divyenndu Sharma starrer family entertainer Thai Massage to release on August 26, 2022; first look unveiled