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Home News Mandakini Unpaid for Early Bollywood Films, Recalls Informal Sets

Mandakini Unpaid for Early Bollywood Films, Recalls Informal Sets

Sep 16, 2026
44 min
8
Sep 16, 2026 09:31
Mandakini says she was never paid for 16-17 early films, recalls ‘homely’ yet unfair Bollywood sets

## Mandakini's Early Career Challenges

Veteran actress Mandakini recently shared insights into her early Bollywood career, revealing she was never compensated for about 16 to 17 films. Despite the lack of payment, she fondly remembers the film sets as warm and informal, akin to family gatherings.

## Informal Agreements and Unpaid Work

Mandakini explained that during her early years, she often agreed to work without upfront fees, especially when filmmakers requested her help for short projects. While she eventually received payment for most of her work, a significant number of films remained unpaid due to various reasons, including incomplete projects or unpaid balances.

## A Different Era in Bollywood

Reflecting on that period, Mandakini noted the stark contrast between the close-knit, informal environment of past Bollywood and today's more structured industry. Despite the camaraderie, the lack of formal agreements sometimes left actors without their due payments.

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