Salman Khan Once Struggled to Pay School Fees, Now Owns an Estimated Rs 3,000 Crore

Salman Khan is now one of India’s wealthiest actors, with an estimated net worth of around Rs 3,000 crore. But during his childhood, his family faced financial difficulties, and he was once made to stand outside his classroom because his school fees had not been paid on time. He was eventually expelled from the school for the same reason.

Salman recently recalled the incident on the show ‘Two Much’, hosted by Kajol and Twinkle Khanna. Aamir Khan was also present on the show.

Forced to Stand Outside Over Unpaid Fees

Salman said he was often made to stand outside the classroom for misbehaving. However, when he was in fourth grade, he was once sent outside for a different reason.

His father, Salim Khan, asked the teacher why his son was standing outside. The teacher explained that Salman had not committed any offence but had been punished because his school fees had not been paid on time.

Salman recalled that his father responded by saying that if that was the reason, he should be the one standing outside instead.

Salim Khan then spoke to the school principal and arranged for the fees to be paid. But the same incident happened again two weeks later, after which Salman was expelled from the school.

Aamir Khan also revealed that his own family had faced similar financial difficulties and that his parents sometimes struggled to pay his school fees on time.

Salim Khan Also Faced Financial Hardship

During Salman’s childhood, his father Salim Khan was also struggling financially. After moving to Mumbai in the 1960s, he lived in a guesthouse near Marine Drive and paid Rs 55 a month for half a room.

In the documentary ‘Angry Young Men’, Salim recalled that he wanted to rent the entire room, which would have cost Rs 110 per month. However, he could not afford it at the time.

Salim Khan later moved from acting into screenwriting and formed a hugely successful writing partnership with Javed Akhtar. Together, they wrote iconic films including Zanjeer, Sholay and Deewaar, eventually becoming among the highest-paid screenwriters in India.

First Acting Fee Was Rs 31,000

Salman gradually built his career after overcoming those financial struggles. He made his acting debut in the 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisi, after previously working as an assistant director on Falak.

He achieved major success as a leading actor with the 1989 blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya. Despite the film’s success, Salman said he struggled to find work for several months afterward.

According to Salman, much of the credit for the film’s success at the time was being given to his co-star Bhagyashree. Later, producer G. P. Sippy announced, following an initiative by Salim Khan, that Salman had been signed for a film. After the news was published, more acting offers began coming his way.

Salman was paid Rs 31,000 for Biwi Ho To Aisi, which was later increased to Rs 75,000 after his performance impressed the makers.

Even before entering the film industry, Salman had earned money as a performer. At the age of 14, he worked as a background dancer at an event at Mumbai’s Taj Hotel and earned just Rs 75.

Today, Salman Khan’s estimated net worth stands at around Rs 3,000 crore. Reports cited in the story place him below Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan among India’s wealthiest actors.

Salman’s Upcoming Films

Salman Khan is set to appear in Matrubhoomi: May War Rest in Peace, which is reportedly planned for release after Diwali. He is also currently working on Monster, in which Nayanthara is set to co-star.

Based on a report by The Indian Express.