30 Years Of Shah Rukh Khan’s Deewana EXCLUSIVE: Producer Guddu Dhanoa reveals how much the superstar was PAID for his debut film; says, “Look at destiny. Jis film ke Shah Rukh ke pass dates nahi thi, woh film sabse pehle release ho gayi. And it was a SUPER-HIT!”

By Fenil Seta -

June 28, 2022 - 11:30 AM IST

Shah Rukh Khan completed 30 years in Bollywood on June 25. His debut film was Deewana, which was co-produced by Guddu Dhanoa. Co-starring Rishi Kapoor and Divya Bharti, the superstar was not the first choice for the role of Raja Sahai. Armaan Kohli was the first choice. However, he left due to certain reasons. On Shekhar Kapur’s recommendation, Guddu Dhanoa decided to meet Shah Rukh Khan at the Host restaurant in Connaught Place, Delhi.

30 Years Of Shah Rukh Khan’s Deewana EXCLUSIVE: Producer Guddu Dhanoa reveals how much the superstar was PAID for his debut film; says, “Look at destiny. Jis film ke Shah Rukh ke pass dates nahi thi, woh film sabse pehle release ho gayi. And it was a SUPER-HIT!”

Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama, Guddu Dhanoa said, “Till then, no film of Shah Rukh had released. Yet, when we met him, he told me ‘Main aapki picture nahi kar sakta. Main already 5 filmein kar raha hoon’. I got a jolt. When I asked him which were these films, he told me that he’s working on Hema Malini ji’s Dil Aashna Hai (1992), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Chamatkar (1992), King Uncle (1993) and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994). I still insisted that he should listen to the subject. He told me to come to his house the next day at 12 noon.”

Guddu Dhanoa then said, “The next day, I went to his house and narrated the first half, in which he was not even there! He said ‘Khana khaa lete hai’. So, we had lunch after which I narrated the second half. He liked the second half so much that he said, ‘Guddu, main aapki picture kar raha hoon’. However, he made it clear that he can shoot only if the dates of his films get cancelled or pushed forward. I told him, ‘No problem’. And look at destiny. Jis film ke liye dates nahi thi, woh film sabse pehle release ho gayi. And it was a super-hit!”

What’s interesting is that though Shah Rukh Khan had so many films in his kitty, he still agreed to do a film in which he is absent for the entire first half. Guddu Dhanoa stated, “True, but Shah Rukh ke bina Deewana nahi ban sakti thi. Aur Rishi Kapoor ke bina bhi Deewana nahi ban sakti thi.”

So much were Shah Rukh Khan’s acting fees in his first film? Guddu Dhanoa revealed that he was paid Rs. 11,000 as the signing amount and he was paid Rs. 1.50 lakhs as acting fees.

What was Rishi Kapoor’s reaction to Shah Rukh Khan’s casting. Guddu exulted, “Rishi was an established hero. He had no qualms. He was like, ‘Haan, le lo Shah Rukh ko. Naya ladka hai’.”

An IMDb trivia also states that Rishi Kapoor loved the song ‘Aisi Deewangi’ so much that he wanted it to be picturized on him. Guddu, on this, said, “I have no knowledge and I can’t recollect.” He also dismissed the rumours that Rishi Kapoor was given more prominence on the posters than Shah Rukh Khan.

Also Read: 30 Years Of Shah Rukh Khan’s Deewana EXCLUSIVE: "When Dharmendra would walk at the airport, the people around would murmur, ‘Dharmendra, Dharmendra, Dharmendra’! I saw the same kind of response for Shah Rukh" – Guddu Dhanoa