Shah Rukh Khan’s co-star, who worked in C-grade films, had Rs 1 crore debt and ‘sold her soul’, shares one lesson which helped her out of financial trouble; ‘It became a gamechanger….’

Not all actors are living a lavish life and travelling around in private jets. Some have admitted to financial struggles and even experienced homelessness and bankruptcy; recently, veteran actress Sushmita Mukherjee, who is known for films such as Golmaal, Dostana and the iconic TV series Karamchand and Kaahin Kissii Roz, opened up about facing financial troubles, including an Rs 1 crore debt, which she faced with no safety net in sight. In an old video that went viral, the actress admitted she had to act in C-grade films to get out of financial debt and often felt hurt when her choices were mocked.

In the video, she admitted to doing “bad films” and “selling her soul". In 2002, a media company she and her husband ran became bankrupt, leaving the couple with an Rs 1 crore debt. Many people would knock on their door and curse them when they failed to pay debts. She had to work in many subpar movies, and eventually, within three to four years, she and her husband were able to settle their debts.

In a chat with NDTV, the actress said her attitude towards money had evolved from being carefree and impulsive to more pragmatic. However, she still did not look at money as something that was to be kept all to oneself but shared. She said money, to her, was a form of positive energy.


“Money has become a complete game changer for me. I look at money as energy. Everyone says it is energy, but I look at it as something that is not only for me. It is supposed to be shared. I am not giving it to anyone in particular, and I am not giving it to everyone either. What I have realised now is that the universe is really malleable to your intention. It is clear to me. When I had my last thousand rupees, I used to think, "It will come. It is not my job. I have not done anything bad. It will come,” she said.

Sushmita Mukherjee is an alumna of Delhi University - Jesus & Mary College and National School of Drama. She was once married to director Sudhir Mishra. Later, she married actor, producer, and civil activist Raja Bundela. They have two children.

Among her notable films are the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer King Uncle, Khalnayak, Golmaal, etc.