Rs 1 crore debt, children’s education abroad...: Why Shah Rukh Khan co-actress Sushmita Mukherjee did C-grade films

Actress Sushmita Mukherjee, who has worked with Shah Rukh Khan and Paresh Rawal, has recently opened up about a difficult phase in her life when financial pressure forced her to take up projects she was not proud of. In a recent Instagram video, the actress recalled how she and her husband faced bankruptcy after losing their media company and were left with a Rs 1 crore loan to repay. With debt collectors at their door and young children to support, Mukherjee said she had to make difficult professional choices while also funding her children's expensive education abroad.

Sushmita Mukherjee on doing films she was not proud of

In a recent Instagram video, Sushmita Mukherjee addressed a question about why she had acted in what she described as “sexist, C-grade films” and projects derogatory towards women. The actress admitted that looking back at some of those choices is uncomfortable. She said she had worked in good films as well, but acknowledged that some projects were simply “bad choices.”

Mukherjee candidly said she had, in her words, “sold my soul” for some of the work, adding that she did not feel good about those choices at the time and still does not feel good about them. However, she explained that those decisions were driven by circumstances rather than creative preference.

Sushmita Mukherjee reveals why she had to work

Mukherjee recalled that in 2002, she and her husband lost their media company, Prayas Production. According to the actress, the company had a loan of Rs 1 crore, and they, along with Track Cinema and Anil Chaudhary Production, went bankrupt during a period when a new era of technology had emerged. The financial situation quickly became extremely difficult.

She recalled debtors and recovery agents coming to their home and said they would abuse them. Her children were also very young at the time. Faced with those circumstances, Mukherjee said she was “forced to start working again.” The money she earned had to go towards repaying the loan. She said she and her husband worked extremely hard and managed to repay the Rs 1 crore debt over three to four years.

Her children's education was another reason

The financial pressure did not end with the repayment of the loan. Mukherjee also spoke about wanting to provide her children with good educational opportunities. She recalled that her daughter was doing well academically, and she decided to send her abroad for higher education. Mukherjee said she therefore had to earn money for her children's education as well, and these financial responsibilities influenced the projects she accepted.

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‘I’m not so proud’ of some projects

The actress made it clear that she does not regret providing for her family. She said she has “no regrets” about the decisions because she was able to educate her children well and see them become independent. At the same time, she admitted that she is not proud of several projects she worked on because they were undertaken primarily for money.

Mukherjee also pointed out that sometimes actors do not have the luxury of choosing only projects they love. “We are actors. We don't always have a choice,” she said, describing actors as “a cog in the wheel.” Sometimes, she explained, people simply have to work “to run the house.”

Sushmita Mukherjee says everyone needs their own reason for earning

Mukherjee's experience also led her to reflect on why people choose to earn money. For some people, earning may be about financial security or creative satisfaction. For others, it may be about supporting their children, putting food on the table or achieving a particular lifestyle.

She said people need to decide what their own reason is, whether that involves a big car, a large house or simply creating security for their family. For Mukherjee, the reason was straightforward. She said she used to live “month to month”, teach and lead a middle-class life while working towards her financial responsibilities.

She now chooses projects differently

Mukherjee said her circumstances have changed significantly. She explained that she no longer takes on work that does not “touch my soul.” Today, she said, she chooses projects she genuinely wants to do, works with respect, earns well and feels happy about the projects she takes on. Her career has therefore moved from making choices primarily out of financial necessity to having greater freedom over the work she accepts.

Internet reacts

Several users came out in support of Sushmita Mukherjee, telling her that she did not owe anyone an explanation for the choices she made during a difficult phase of her life. One user called her admirable and praised the way she carries herself with confidence. Another noted that only the person bearing financial responsibilities truly understands how difficult it can be to meet expenses.

Others reminded Mukherjee that everyone faces difficult periods in life and encouraged her to ignore trolls, stay strong, healthy and happy. One user also praised her for taking on different acting roles while maintaining her self-respect and working hard to repay her debt.

Sushmita Mukherjee's career

Sushmita Mukherjee is an Indian actress whose career spans Hindi cinema, television and theatre. She studied at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, and graduated from the National School of Drama. She became widely recognised for her performances in the television serial Gangaa and the film Golmaal: Fun Unlimited.

Mukherjee has also appeared alongside several prominent actors. Her film credits with Jackie Shroff include Khalnayak and King Uncle. The former also starred Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt, while King Uncle featured Shah Rukh Khan and Paresh Rawal. She was last seen in Dabba Cartel, a crime drama series created by Shibani Dandekar Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur and Akanksha Seda, and directed by Hitesh Bhatia. The series stars Shabana Azmi, Jyothika, Shalini Pandey, Nimisha Sajayan and Anjali Anand as women running a drug cartel disguised as a food delivery company. The series premiered on Netflix on February 28, 2025.