When Akshay Kumar saved IPL team Delhi Daredevils by waiving off his compensation: ‘The star had become an avoidable expense’

In 2009, Akshay Kumar's legal team wanted Delhi Daredevils to pay him full compensation for ending his contract before term's end.

Akshay Kumar can currently be seen in Sarfira. (Photo: Akshay/Instagram)

Instead of playing hardball, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar once saved the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Delhi Daredevils (DD) from incurring huge losses. For the team to survive, Akshay had to terminate his contract and for that to happen, he had to let go of millions of rupees. Akshay readily agreed, even though his team wasn’t fully convinced.

Veteran cricket administrator Amrit Mathur, in his autobiography Pitchside: My Life in Indian Cricket, detailed how Akshay signed a three-year deal with DD to shoot promotional films, attend meet-and-greet events, and make appearances at events. Despite performing daring stunts at Kotla, not much else transpired because DD didn’t know how to utilise him effectively. At the season’s end, amidst serious financial losses, DD opted to either cancel or renegotiate the contract with Akshay.

Mathur explained that Akshay’s contract with the team couldn’t be terminated early; it guaranteed him work for three years. When DD’s lawyers tried to renegotiate, they faced difficulties. Akshay’s team asserted that the contract didn’t allow for changes and insisted on full payment. “Considering the disastrous financial results and need for austerity, the star had become an avoidable expense. Knowing there was no legal lifeline available, DD appealed to Akshay for mercy,” Mathur wrote.

Khiladi justified the name Delhi “Daredevils” with DARING STUNTS👌 IPL’08 Opening nite ❤💪 Happy Birthday Akshay Kumar pic.twitter.com/Fx3efN5Geo

— Happy’ness for All (@SeenuTweetz) September 8, 2015

Mathur said that he was in-charge of solving the matter and recalled how he met the star during the shooting of Chandni Chowk to China. When Mathur told Akshay about the team’s financial troubles, he recalled as the actor said, “No problem ji, he said in a sympathetic manner. If it’s not working, let’s close it. I thought I hadn’t heard him right.”

Also read | Akshay Kumar is reminded of his ‘16 consecutive flops’ as he addresses recent duds: ‘I won’t give up’

He continued, “Seeing my confused look, he clarified slowly, ‘Isko khatam kar dete hain (let us end this)‘. When I mumbled about the stringent contract clauses, he reassured me, ‘Koi baat nahi, main lawyer ko bol dunga (No problem, I will tell the lawyer)’. Even after so many years I am surprised that Akshay waived off such a large amount of money. Just like that — snap decision when he could have easily thrown the contract at us.” Akshay Kumar will next be seen in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan opposite Tiger Shroff.

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