Bollywood actress, Anu Aggarwal became an overnight sensation after her superhit pairing with Rahul Roy in the iconic 1990 film, Aashiqui, a musical love story directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The film catapulted the actress to tremendous fame and she soon became a national heartthrob. Now, more than three decades after Aashiqui broke the theatres, the former actress made a shocking revelation. In an explosive interview with Pinkvilla, Anu Aggarwal shared that she was only paid 60% of her promised fee, and the rest 40% is still owed to her.
Anu Aggarwal reveals not receiving her dues for Aashiqui till date
Aashiqui was a massive musical hit co-produced by the late Gulshan Kumar’s T-Series and the Vishesh Films banner owned by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt. The film catapulted Anu to overnight fame, but the business behind the scenes, according to her, was far from ideal. In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, Anu shared with calm clarity that she still hasn’t received her full payment for the iconic 1990 film, and she never even chased the remaining dues. In her words:
“Mujhe aaj tak Aashiqui ke poore paise nahi miley. I have only been paid 60% of the full money. They still owe me the 40%. But it’s okay. Theek hain yaar… Ye meri gift hain unko.”
Even though Anu never received her dues for Aashiqui, the film itself has earned her so much more. After her appearance in the iconic romance hit, the actress got numerous projects in modelling, and she even became one of the first actresses in India to ever be brand ambassadors, especially given that back in those days, not many actors got to become the faces of brands; they were mainly reserved for cricketers. She considers the remaining 40% of her payout as a gift to the makers from her end. She was quoted as saying:
“I earned a lot in so many… I earned much more in modelling. I became a brand ambassador. I am one of India’s first actress brand ambassadors. Uss time actor nahi hote the, sirf cricket ke hi hote the. So theek hai yaar!”
Anu Aggarwal’s views on Aashiqui 2
While Anu Aggarwal has long moved away from the glitz of showbiz, the legacy she created as the face of Aashiqui remains unforgettable. When asked about the sequel, Aashiqui 2, the 2013 musical hit starring Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, she said she watched it but refrained from comparing. Without dismissing the sequel or making direct comparisons, Anu remarked:
“Nice, nice, matlab you know, I didn’t want to like to judge it. Because Aashiqui, in a sense, when I signed Aashiqui, was not a super film… Mahesh Bhatt was an art film director, so this was not a film that was expected to be the next big hit commercial film… when we look back at that time, it’s a different time, I am different…mera doosra jeewan start ho gaya hai yaar tum log samajh kyun nai paate ho. This is life 2? I am 30, I am 26 today in my life 2. So, that’s how my mind works.”
Anu Aggarwal’s life took a spiritual turn after she survived a near-fatal accident in 1999, which resulted in severe injury and multiple fractures in her face, which altered her facial structure and put her in a 29-day coma. Today, she has stepped away from the limelight and continues to inspire with her unyielding grace, wisdom, and integrity.
What are your views on Anu Aggarwal’s revelations about not getting her full payment for Aashiqui? Let us know.
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