Cinema VinesShehnaaz Gill, the Punjabi‑origin actress who burst onto the national scene with her appearance on Bigg Boss 13 and her close friendship with the late Sidharth Shukla, has publicly declared that she will no longer take on projects without a guaranteed fee. In a candid interview with News18, the 26‑year‑old explained how earlier in her career she often accepted work for free, hoping it would lead to more opportunities. She revealed that the gesture did not earn her the respect she expected, prompting her to change her stance on remuneration.
“Money is very important. It gives you respect,” Gill said. “When I ask for what I deserve today, I sometimes get that, sometimes I don’t, and sometimes it’s lesser than what I quote for myself. But everyone should fight for one’s own right.” She added that she works hard and has endured many challenges to reach her current position, and that she now insists on being paid before signing a film contract.
Gill reflected on her early days, noting that she had done “a lot of work for free” but did not receive the recognition she deserved. She now only compromises on payment when a film offers a strong script or a meaningful role. She clarified that she has never accepted a project solely for money at the expense of quality.
Her Bollywood debut came in 2013’s “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan,” where she shared the screen with Salman Khan, Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh Daggubati and Bhumika Chawla. Since then, she has appeared in films such as “Thank You For Coming,” which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, and the 2024 music video “Sajna Ve Sajna” from the film “Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video.” She also featured in “Ikk Kudi.”
