Bollywood’s Most Selfless Act: Why Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan & Vidya Balan Worked for Free in Raja Shivaji

When was the last time Bollywood’s biggest stars said yes to a film with zero paycheck? That just happened — and the reason behind it is truly heartwarming.

Bollywood’s Story Behind the Pro Bono Cast

Actor-director Riteish Deshmukh recently revealed in an interview with Live Times that the entire ensemble cast of his historical action-drama Raja Shivaji chose to work completely free of charge — driven by deep-rooted respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and their personal bond with him.

Deshmukh, who spent over three and a half years researching and scripting the project, shared that when he approached his peers for the film, remuneration was never even part of the conversation.

Who Worked for Free?

What Riteish Said About the Bond

Riteish described the relationship as an unsaid, unconditional love that exists between close friends. He noted that if Abhishek or Salman were to call him for something tomorrow, he’d say yes without thinking — because that’s the kind of trust they’ve built over the years.

He also pointed out that Abhishek didn’t even ask what his character was — he simply said yes. Riteish called this the greatest thing he has earned in 23 years of being in the industry.

This kind of solidarity reflects the spirit of pro bono work — where professionals offer their skills without monetary compensation for a cause they genuinely believe in.

Why This Matters?

Raja Shivaji isn’t just a film — it’s a passion project born from reverence. The film boasts a casting coup that most directors only dream of, with stars from both Bollywood and Marathi cinema coming together. The fact that none of them charged a rupee speaks volumes about what Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy means to them — and to India.

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