Find out how much Sanjay Dutt, Mary Kom and Mahaveer Phogat charged for their biopics.

October 26, 2024 05:15 pm EST

From Sanjay Dutt to Milkha Singh, find out how much money was paid to celebrities as compensation for their biopics.

The Phogat sisters recently told News24 that while Dangal (2016) is based on their life, ₹2000 crores at the box office worldwide, they received ₹1 crore as compensation for the rights to their life story. We take a look at what other celebrities have charged over the years for their biopics.

Sanju was based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt, Dangal was based on the Phogat family.

Mohammed Azhruddin-Azhar

FEE – Nothing

This 2016 film is about former cricketer and former national team captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who did not charge anything for the rights to make it. Actor Emraan Hashmi took his place.

Milkha Singh – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

FEE – 1 rupee.

This 2013 film directed by Rakeyish Omprakash Mehra received critical acclaim and commercial success upon its release. It was based on the life of sportsman and Commonwealth champion Milkha Singh, popularly called the Flying Sikh and played on the big screen by Farhan Akhtar. In an earlier interview, Mehra said that Singh was offered a sum of ₹2 crores as compensation but he accepted only 1 rupee.

Mahavir Singh Phogat and daughters Gita, Babita-Dangal.

Mahavir Singh Phogat and daughters Gita and Babita

FEES- ₹1 crore

Aamir Khan plays Mahavir Singh Phogat, an amateur wrestler who trains his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari to become world-class wrestlers. In a recent interview with News24, Geeta and Babita were asked, “Of ₹2000 crores received from Dangal, the Phogat family received only ₹1 crore?” They answered: “Yes.”

Mary Kom- Mary Kom

FEES- ₹25 lakhs

Directed by Omung Kumar and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film is based on the life of boxer Mary Kom, who won the 2008 World Boxing Championships in Ningbo. Upon its release, Priyanka Chopra received acclaim for bringing Mary’s story to life.

Sanjay Dutt – Sanju

FEES- ₹9 crores plus profit share

Sanjay Dutta’s life was like a roller coaster and this prompted Rajkumar Hirani to make a film on it. Ranbir Kapoor has played Sanjay from a young age to this day and has received accolades. Sanjay was reportedly paid ₹9 crores plus a share in the profits of the film.