Javed Sheikh says he refused fee for Om Shanti Om
Veteran Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh has revealed that he initially refused to take any remuneration for his role in the hit 2007 Bollywood film Om Shanti Om, stating that sharing the screen with Indian megastar Shah Rukh Khan was an honor in itself.
Speaking in an interview with Vasay Chaudhry, the veteran actor reminisced about playing the role of Rajesh Kapoor—Shah Rukh Khan’s on-screen father in the Farah Khan directorial—and reflected on the immense warmth and respect he experienced during the film’s production.
Recalling the financial negotiations prior to filming, Sheikh shared that when the production manager approached him to finalize his contract and discuss his fee, he immediately declined monetary compensation. He emphasized that being chosen out of countless actors across India to portray Shah Rukh Khan’s father felt like a massive privilege that transcended money:
”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. 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.”
When the production team insisted that working without pay violated contract guidelines, Sheikh jokingly proposed accepting a symbolic fee of just one rupee. However, both director Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan rejected the gesture, insisting on compensating him generously to honor his professional standing. Sheikh praised Shah Rukh Khan for his exceptional hospitality and care on set, describing their working relationship during the shoot as superb.
Reflecting on his journey in the entertainment industry, Sheikh spoke candidly about his early career struggles. He disclosed that despite his deep passion for acting—which often involved running from school to Radio Pakistan—his father remained strict and skeptical. After his debut film Dhamaka (1974) failed at the box office, his career faced significant setbacks, leaving him devastated when industry insiders initially labeled him a “flop actor.”
Five years later, his fortunes took a dramatic turn with the hit television drama Ankahi, which earned immense popularity across both Pakistan and India, effectively cementing his star status. Sheikh concluded by highlighting the mindset that guided his decade-long career: focusing entirely on self-improvement rather than competition, envy, or status.
With a career spanning over four decades, Javed Sheikh continues to remain a vital force across Pakistani media, recently appearing in prominent projects including Delhi Gate, Aag Lagey Basti Mein, and the drama series Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.
