Shehnaaz Gill Recalls Working For Free; Says 'Uski Mujhe Izzat Nahi Mili'

Shehnaaz Gill may be enjoying the rewards of a successful career today, but she says her journey in the entertainment industry has been far from easy. From entering 'Bigg Boss 13' as one of the lowest-paid contestants to becoming a popular name across films, endorsements and events, Shehnaaz has witnessed a remarkable transformation. Despite her growing popularity and commercial success, she reveals that getting paid what she believes she deserves remains an ongoing challenge.

In an exclusive conversation with News18, Shehnaaz opened up about money, respect, career choices and why she no longer believes in working for free.

Money And Respect:

For Shehnaaz, money is closely tied to dignity and recognition. While she acknowledges that success has brought better opportunities, she says there are still times when she doesn't receive the remuneration she believes she deserves. According to her, standing up for one's worth is important, especially after years of struggle and hard work.

“Money is very important. It gives you respect. When I ask for what I deserve today, I sometimes get that, sometimes I don't and sometimes it's lesser than what I quote for myself. But har kisi ko apne haq ke liye ladna chahiye. I work really hard and I've been through a lot to reach the place that I'm in today," she said.

The 'Ishqnama' star added that every professional should learn to advocate for themselves and not hesitate to ask for fair compensation.

Lessons From Working For Free:

Looking back on her early years, Shehnaaz revealed that there was a time when she willingly took up projects without charging anything. However, those experiences eventually changed her perspective on professional relationships and self-worth.

“Yes, there was a time when I did a lot of work for free. But uski mujhe izzat nahi mili. Maine logo ke liye itna kuch kiya hai! But now, I do fight for what I deserve. I compromise only on occasions when the film that I've been offered is really good," she shared.

Photo Credit: Instagram

The experience taught her that effort and generosity do not always translate into respect. As a result, she now makes a conscious effort to ensure that her work is valued appropriately.

Choosing Content Over Compensation:

While remuneration is important, Shehnaaz insists that meaningful work ultimately takes priority. She admits that there are times when she knowingly accepts less money if she strongly believes in the story or the project.

“Agar koi hai hi leechar aadmi, usse kya hi maatha maaro? Sometimes, you know that they won't pay you well but you still get into it knowing that the script is meaningful. But if you ask me if I've ever done a project just for money by compromising on the quality of the work, I'll have to tell you that I've never done that," she said.

According to Shehnaaz, she has never chosen a project solely for financial gain at the expense of quality, something she takes pride in even today.

Films Remain A Priority:

The 31-year-old also shared that she is willing to be flexible about money when it comes to films because she has multiple revenue streams through advertisements, endorsements and events. For her, cinema remains a special space that requires careful consideration.

“When it comes to films, I don't let money come in the way. I know that I can earn money from ads, endorsements and events. For me, cinema is a very pure and precious medium. Main bahot tareeke se films choose karti hoon," she stated.

Shehnaaz also reiterated that she isn't interested in appearing in projects merely for glamour. “I don't want to be in a film only for glamour. I don't want to be used as a prop," she said, stressing that substantial roles and meaningful cinema continue to guide her choices.