EXCLUSIVE: Jaya Bhattacharya Confesses To Earning 3X Kyunki’s Salary On Other Shows; Reveals Why She Never Asked For A Raise In The Smriti Irani Starrer

Jaya Bhattacharya has addressed long-standing rumours about her exit from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, he clarified that it had nothing to do with dramatic disputes but a simple misunderstanding around pay raises. She explained that her role began as a one-month cameo that unexpectedly stretched to 8 years. Jaya revealed she wasn’t aware that annual raises were given, and when she eventually questioned it, she received only a minimal increment. Despite the disappointment, her commitment to the show never wavered. Scroll down to read what she said and watch the full interview.

Jaya Bhattacharya Reveals Why She Never Asked For A Raise In Smriti Irani’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

When asked about the negative articles on her leaving Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi due to no raise in payment, Jaya Bhattacharya clarified, “Kyunki main jo hoon, woh main rehte-rehte aati thi. Actually, mera sirf ek, kya bolte hain usko cameo? Haan, cameo ek mahine ka tha start mein. Ek mahine ka cameo hona tha — woh bas ban gaya saat–aath (8) saal. Aath saal tak chala. Toh Kyunki mera cameo tha jo itna lamba chala, main rehte-rehte gayab ho jaati thi. Phir mujhe bulaya jaata tha. Aur aathve saal bhi yahi hua — main regular har waqt nahi hoti thi. Toh jab pehli baar main ek saal ke liye gayab hui, tab sabko raise mila. Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki raise milta bhi hai.”

She continued, “Main duniya ki bahut si cheezon se anabhigya hoon aur shayad isi liye khush bhi hoon, haan, kai baaton se. Toh jab main wapas aayi toh sab ne bataya ki ‘Bhaiya, raise mila hai.’ Maine kaha, ‘Mujhe kyun nahi mila?’ Phir pata laga sabko Rs 2000 ka raise mila. Sab ne bola ‘Baat karo, baat karo.’ Ek toh maine pehle bhi bola hai — main apne liye fight nahi kar paati hoon. Main hamesha doosron ke liye fight karti thi. Ab woh bhi chhod diya hai… jab tak agla khud apne pair par na khada ho jaye. Toh maine baat ki, aur mujhe Rs 1000 ka raise mila. Dard hua. Maan mein yeh aaya ki… am I not worth it? Par theek hai.”

Jaya On Working Commitments

The actress opened up about her commitment to work. She said, “Woh muh chota ho jaata hai na, woh feeling aayi. Lekin ek commitment thi kaam ke liye. Bhaiya, ‘haan’ bola tha. Pehle contract nahi hote the — zubaan pe kaam hota tha, believe me. Haan, seriously. Koi likhit-padhit nahi hoti thi un serials mein jinke saath main thi. Even O Maria mein bhi nahi. Aur sab log time par pahunch jaate the, badastoor kaam pe. Aajkal toh contract se bhi kaam nahi hota. Toh haan, mann chota hua. Agle saal, pehele toh mujhe yaad hi nahi tha. Phir mujhe pata laga.”

Continuing, she said, “Maine kaha, ‘Main toh nahi maangungi. Agar aapko nahi lagta ki main is laayak hoon ki mujhe raise mile, theek hai. Lekin main maangungi nahi.’ Paradox dekho, doosre shows ke log mujhe bulaate the, ya bahar ke log, woh mujhe triple amount dete the. Isi production house ke doosre kaam mein bhi mujhe triple milta tha. Par iss show mein kabhi raise nahi mila. Fir jab Ketan ne 8th year mein bola ki contract sign karna hai, toh maine uski class le li. Maine bola, ‘Kaunsa contract, beh? Jab bhi zaroorat hoti hai, main khadi hoti hoon. Aath saal ho gaye iss baat ko. Kabhi maine tum logon ki, ya project ki tauheen nahi ki.”

Jaya On Respecting Her Work

Concluding, the actress said, “Kyunki yeh mera kaam hai. Jisne mujhe maan, samman, paisa diya. Aur jisse main pyaar karti hoon.’ Acting mera pyaar hai. Animal work mera passion. Energies alag hoti hain dono mein. Aur jab tak yeh show chalega, main badastoor kaam par aaungi. Contract sign nahi karungi. Mujhe zaroorat nahi lagti aathve saal mein contract ki. Wahaan se kya bola, mujhe yaad nahi. Phir jab bhi baat hoti thi, maine poocha, ‘Ruk, ruk, ruk, tum log mujhe paise kya dete ho? Kyunki X show ke liye mujhe itne milte hain.’ Woh bole, ‘What?’ Maine kaha, ‘Haan, check karo na. Aaj bhi mujhe wahin milta hai.’ Phir bola, ‘Contract sign karwaoge? Chhod do. Bhool jao. Main aati hoon na itne mein bhi. Bas wahi kaafi hai.’ Tum mujhe respect do ya na do, main apne kaam ko respect dungi.”

Jaya On Asking Raise To Ektaa Kapoor

When asked if she ever spoke to Ektaa R Kapoor, Jaya said, “Kabhi nahi. Unhone bhi kabhi nahi bola ki aapke saath aisa hua hai. Life mein mujhe farq nahi padta. Koi cheez mujhe chhota nahi karti. Dekh bhai, main Rs 2000 leke aayi thi Mumbai. Aaj sab hai. Jo mere pitaji nahi kar paaye, woh maine kiya.”

Jaya Bhattacharya is known for playing the antagonist role of Payal Mehra in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Her character was a central figure in the early years of the daily soap. She made life difficult for the protagonist, Tulsi Virani.

Watch The Full Interview

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Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Jaya Bhattacharya Reveals She Was REJECTED For Shefali Shah’s Delhi Crime; Says, “Mere Jo Photos Hai In Saree…”

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.