Rs 1 crore debt, no work and C-grade films: Golmaal actress reveals the struggle that left her with no choice and sold her soul

Actress Susmita Mukherjee is one of the versatile actresses in the industry. Over the years, she has worked across films, television and theatre, with memorable appearances in projects including Golmaal: Fun Unlimited and Dostana. The actress recently opened up about one of the most difficult phases of her life and the financial crisis that forced her to make career choices she was not proud of.

Mukherjee, who has been part of the Hindi entertainment industry for more than four decades, revealed that she once found herself dealing with a debt of around Rs 1 crore after her production company went bankrupt. With her family under financial pressure and her children still young, she returned to work and accepted projects she would otherwise have avoided.

Susmita Mukherjee had to return to work after Rs 1 crore debt

Susmita's career has included several popular films and television projects. From playing memorable characters in Karamchand and King Uncle to her comic roles in films such as Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Dostana and Golmaal Returns, she has built a reputation for her versatility.


However, behind that successful career was a period when the actress had to deal with serious financial difficulties.

In a candid video shared on social media, Mukherjee recalled what happened in 2002 when she and her husband lost their production company, Prayas Production. The company was among several businesses affected by changes taking place in the entertainment industry at the time.

According to Mukherjee, the industry was entering a new phase with technology, angel investment and venture capital becoming increasingly important. She and her husband were not familiar with the changing business landscape, and the company eventually went bankrupt.

The failure left them with a loan of around Rs 1 crore.

The situation became even more difficult at home. Mukherjee recalled having debt collectors and recovery agents regularly come to their door. She said the pressure was particularly painful because her children were very young at the time.

With the loan still to be repaid, she had little option but to start working again.

Why she took up C-grade films

Mukherjee has now spoken openly about accepting roles in films that she did not consider good choices for herself.

She explained, "Someone asked me, 'Ma'am, why did you act in bad films?' I was shocked because it's a very disturbing thing to go back to my life and say, 'Why did I act in such sexist, C-grade films, films derogatory to women. But I worked in good films, not pornography, God, but just bad films, bad choices.' So I did, and did I sell my soul? Of course I sold my soul. Did I feel good about it? I didn't feel good then. I still don't feel good about it, but it was my helplessness."

Instead, financial circumstances left her with very little room to choose.

Mukherjee described the period as one of helplessness and said that, in a sense, she felt she had “sold her soul” by taking on work that did not align with her creative values. However, she also made it clear that she was trying to keep her family financially secure.

She and her husband worked hard for several years to clear the Rs 1 crore debt. The money she earned during that period went largely towards repaying the loan and managing the family's expenses.

There was another major responsibility on her shoulders. Mukherjee revealed that she also wanted to support her daughter’s education abroad. Her daughter was doing well academically, and she decided to send her to Australia and New Zealand for higher studies.

That decision added another financial responsibility, but Mukherjee said she made the choice because she wanted to give her daughter the education she believed she deserved.

She has no regrets about those choices

Despite being open about not being proud of some of the projects she accepted during that period, Mukherjee said she does not regret the decisions she made.

For her, the reason behind taking those roles was straightforward: she needed to earn money, repay the debt and take care of her children.

The actress also opened up about how people often judge why someone chooses a particular job without knowing the circumstances behind that decision. According to Mukherjee, everyone has their own reason for earning money. For some, it may be creative satisfaction, while for others it could simply be about paying bills, providing security or supporting their children.

She said her circumstances have changed today. After years of financial struggle, Mukherjee is now in a position to be more selective about the projects she accepts.

The actress said she no longer wants to take up work that does not connect with her personally. She now looks for projects that offer her respect, creative satisfaction and fair compensation.

Mukherjee also pointed out that actors do not always have complete control over their careers. Sometimes, they have to accept work simply to keep their households running.