B-Towners are known to be in a constant bid to outdo each other when it comes to brand endorsements, what with each plumping up their ad-bags with bigger and pricier endorsement deals. So, at a time like this, a star passing over big monies offered to endorse a product comes as a surprise, even more so, when he passes the offer over creative differences. But that's exactly what actor Hrithik Roshan is said to have done. Riding high on the success of this year's first Rs100-crore hitAgneepath, the star is much in demand when for endorsements. And according to trade buzz, his stocks are bound to increase further after Krissh 3. Sources reveal that keen to cash in on Hrithik's starpower, a leading phone brand was looking forward to sign him on as their face. In fact, insiders reveal that they were so keen to have him on board that they reportedly offered him a whopping Rs22 crore, which is far more than any star gets in the segment.
"The phone company was keen to have Hrithik because of his box-office status as well as the strong youth connect. So, they initially offered him about Rs16 crore. However, the hunky star turned down the offer over creative differences. The company adamant on having him agree then raised the offer to Rs22 crore. Hrithik however refused to budge even for that amount," says the insider. When contacted, a source close to Hrithik confirms that he was indeed offered Rs22 crore to endorse the product, but he turned it down.
"For Hrithik money is never the only criteria. That's why he's very choosey even when it comes to films. Quality over quantity is it for Hrithik, so instead of working on three at a time, he prefers to concentrate on one film despite the offers lined up. It's the same when it comes to endorsements. There's no compromise over creativity for Hrithik," says the source.
Hrithik Roshan, who is likely to play the lead in Shekhar Kapur's dream-project 'Paani', says is has been his lifelong dream to work with the 'Mr India' director.
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