Anu Aggarwal, the leading actress from the 1990 Bollywood blockbuster Aashiqui, has recently asserted that she has not received full payment for her performance in the film. Aggarwal disclosed that she is still owed 40% of her remuneration, even 35 years post the film’s release. Despite the film’s success and her significant role, Aggarwal contends that financial inequity accompanied her ascent to stardom.
She also emphasized the industry’s connections to organized crime during the 1990s, pointing out that a considerable amount of film financing originated from illegal sources, with criminal elements exerting substantial influence over the film industry during that period.
When asked if she had experienced situations where crew members were promised certain benefits that were not fulfilled by the producers, Anu responded, “To this day, I have not received my full payment for Aashiqui! I have only been compensated 60% of the total amount. They still owe me 40%.” Notably, Aggarwal had earlier stated that her earnings for Aashiqui exceeded those of her co-star Rahul Roy, attributing her higher income to her successful modeling career, which enabled her to demand greater fees even prior to her entry into the film industry.
The recent assertions highlight the financial difficulties encountered by industry actors, including those who have attained considerable success. Mahesh Bhatt’s Aashiqui was a tremendous success at the box office.
Anu subsequently featured in numerous additional Bollywood films in the following years. In 1999, she experienced a nearly fatal car accident, which led her to embark on a spiritual journey. The sequel to Aashiqui, titled Aashiqui 2, premiered in 2013.
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