Following the tragic passing of veteran Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan at the age of 56 due to a prolonged battle with lung cancer, his past remarks regarding the unfair compensation he received for the 2007 blockbuster comedy “Welcome” have resurfaced on social media. Mushtaq Khan, who immortalized the comedic role of “Ballu,” previously revealed that despite working extended schedules, he was paid a mere INR 100,000 for the film. In past interviews, he expressed deep dismay over producer Firoz Nadiadwala’s broken promises, noting that his shooting schedule was stretched from an agreed 25 days to an additional 10, and subsequently 15 more days, without any increase in pay. The late actor also highlighted the stark contrast between flat-rate payments for actors versus daily-wage structures for crew members, pointing out that daily payments would have yielded a much fairer return for his extended time. Despite these financial grievances and unfair treatment, Khan reprised his beloved role in the 2015 sequel, “Welcome Back,” which ultimately showcased his unwavering dedication and professionalism toward his craft.
