Mushtaq Khan got only Rs 1 lakh for his iconic Welcome role despite shooting extra days

Mushtaq Khan, the actor famously known for his role as Ballu in the 2007 comedy Welcome, passed away due to cancer. The character gained notoriety through the line, "Meri ek taang nakli hai, main hockey ka bohot bada khiladi tha" ("One of my legs is fake. I was a great hockey player"). What might surprise many is that Khan received a meager Rs 1 lakh for his role, despite shooting extra days beyond the original agreement.

The 25-day shoot ultimately extended to 40 days, yet his payment remained unchanged. Khan revealed this discrepancy last year, emphasizing that staff members who worked on a per-day basis would have earned significantly more. Despite the low remuneration, Khan reprised his role in the 2015 sequel, Welcome Back, which underperformed at the box office.

Khan's film career spanned over four decades, with notable appearances in films like Akele Hum Akele Tum, Hera Pheri, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Wanted, Rowdy Rathore, Stree 2, and The Railway Men. He was last seen in the 2026 thriller Hum Angrezon Ke Zamane Ke Jailor Hai.