Shehzad Khan, the son of legendary actor Ajit, has revealed a bitter truth behind his most iconic roles. The actor, who became a household name for his portrayal of Bhalla in the cult classic Andaz Apna Apna and his memorable stint in the hit kids show Shaka Laka Boom Boom, claims he is still waiting for his dues from both projects. Reflecting on the irony of his success, Shehzad noted that the projects that failed to pay him are the ones that eventually turned into massive hits, leaving a permanent mark on his memory.
Opening up about his experience on the sets of Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Shehzad shared that he never saw a single rupee from the production. He philosophically noted that while people tend to forget those who pay them, the ones who withhold payment remain etched in one’s mind until death. The situation was allegedly even more bizarre during the filming of Andaz Apna Apna. Shehzad quipped that his own staff members ended up earning more than he did on the film, as they were paid on a daily basis while he was stuck on a fixed contract.
Describing the financial struggle during the production of the Aamir Khan and Salman Khan starrer, Shehzad explained that he had to borrow small amounts from his own staff just to get by. He eventually developed a close, family-like relationship with producer Vinay Kumar Sinha, which made it harder to pursue the unpaid dues. He humorously recalled how he spent time on outdoor shoots in Ooty, enjoying the location, even though many of his scenes were never actually filmed. Despite the film’s modest performance at the time of its release, Andaz Apna Apna has since evolved into a piece of Indian pop culture history, though for Shehzad, the nostalgia remains bittersweet.