Foraying into the movie industry with the iconic Gangs of Wasseypur – that’s what Bollywood dreams are made of, agrees Huma Qureshi. But what went into the cult film’s making? Join the actor as she fondly recalls that the cast was put up in a run-down hotel, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap stayed in a bleak guest house, and the only silver lining was leading man Manoj Bajpayee treating them to five-star hotel lunches.
More than a decade after Gangs of Wasseypur became a cult classic, Huma Qureshi has opened up about the humble beginnings that came with the film that launched her career. In a candid conversation, the actor revealed that she was paid a modest sum of Rs 65,000 for both parts of Anurag Kashyap’s crime saga.
Huma Qureshi’s salary for Gangs of Wasseypur films
“There was one little contract for which they paid me 65,000 rupees,” Huma shared. “That is what I got for both parts. Now I’m feeling rich for the first time!” she laughed, reminiscing about the early days of her career.
Huma recalled the simple living conditions during the shoot, saying, “We were put in Swati International. And you could not complain because the director and Nawaz [Nawazuddin Siddiqui] were staying in a very, very bleak guest house just opposite Swati International, which at least was a hotel.” Adding a touch of humour, she said, “Was that also international? That was too international!”
Huma Qureshi on Manoj Bajpayee treating them to 5-star meals
The actor fondly remembered Manoj Bajpayee’s kindness during the shoot. “The only star on that film was Manoj sir, who was staying at the Ramada. He was very nice to us because every once in a while, he would invite all the kids and say, ‘Come, I’ll get you lunch.’ So we would go to eat like five-star food.”
Reflecting on how much has changed since then, Huma noted, “Now when you look back, it’s been what, 13 years, one doesn’t realise all these guys became big only after. Like even a Rajkummar Rao or a Jyoti Pallava… It’s incredible how many people, how many directors, Neeraj Ghaywan, Ritesh Batra, started with that film.”
From a modest paycheck and a budget hotel stay to becoming one of Bollywood’s most recognised faces, Huma Qureshi’s journey stands as a reminder of how Gangs of Wasseypur shaped not only Indian cinema but also the careers of an entire generation of talent.