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Rohit Shetty Birthday Special: How One Man's 35 Rupees Transformed into a 300 Crore Empire!
The film industry, with its capricious nature, often surprises enthusiasts with tales of resilience and triumph. Nestled within this realm of unpredictability, there exists a cohort of luminaries whose narratives of perseverance leave audiences astounded.
It's a testament to the human spirit that many of those who now bask in the opulence of stardom once grappled with adversity in the early chapters of their careers. Yet, propelled by unwavering determination, they hurdled obstacles to carve their path to success, ultimately emerging as icons in Bollywood, captivating both the industry and its aficionados.
Among these tales stands the saga of Rohit Shetty, who celebrates his 50th birthday today. Born on March 14, 1973, in Mumbai, Rohit emanates from a lineage deeply entrenched in the cinematic milieu, with his father, M.B. Shetty, a luminary in action choreography and stuntmanship, while his mother, Madhu, contributed as a junior artist.
Following his father's demise in 1982, Rohit Shetty's journey was fraught with challenges. Suddenly thrust into familial responsibilities, the sale of their ancestral home necessitated his departure from formal education.
After completing his 10th-grade education, Rohit Shetty redirected his focus towards employment. His inaugural stint at Cuckoo fetched a meager salary of 35 rupees. To economize, he embarked on the arduous trek from Malad to Andheri's Natraj Studios on foot.
At the tender age of 17, Rohit embarked on his career as an assistant director under the tutelage of Kuku Kohli, contributing to projects such as 'Phool Aur Kaante,' 'Kohinoor,' 'Suhaag,' 'Haqeeqat,' and 'Zulmi.' Additionally, he collaborated with Anees Bazmee on films like 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha,' 'Hindustan Ki Kasam,' and 'Raju Chacha.'
Rohit Shetty marked his directorial debut with 'Zameen' in 2003, at the age of 30. Despite the film's tepid performance at the box office, Rohit's directorial prowess garnered widespread acclaim, boasting a cast including Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Bipasha Basu.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rohit has regaled fans with anecdotes from his arduous journey. He once divulged his stint in 1995, where, aspiring to be a director, he aided in pressing sarees for actress Tabu in the film 'Haqeeqat.' Moreover, he served as a spotboy for actress Kajol and even doubled for Akshay Kumar in 'Suhaag.' Notably, when confronted with financial exigencies due to the sale of his ancestral home, his mother sought succor from Amitabh Bachchan, a family friend.
From humble beginnings, Rohit Shetty has ascended to become one of Bollywood's most coveted directors. Media reports estimate his net worth to hover around 300 crore rupees. With monthly earnings surpassing 10 crores, he commands 5-6 crore rupees for brand endorsements and demands 18-20 crore rupees from production teams for his directorial ventures.
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