In the ongoing chatter about celebrity bodyguards allegedly earning millions every year, Yaseen Khan has weighed in, saying these claims are far from reality. Former Security Assistant Shah Rukh Khan opened up about the industry’s true pay structure, while also reminding us how compensation practices have evolved over time.
He said viral salaries are “misleading”.
Reacting to the social media buzz over the Rs 2-2.5 crore annual income, Yaseen said these numbers are largely exaggerated and do not reflect how the system works.“I feel social media is spreading wrong messages. It’s not like people earn 2-2.5 crores. If someone is a bodyguard of a big star, they have a fixed salary. Also, every time a film is made, a separate contract is made. Depending on the producer, they get paid an amount for that film,” Yaseen told Hindi Rush.
“We worked, but we didn’t pay for the film”
Sharing insights from his early years, Yaseen noted that bodyguards were once excluded from project-based payments.“As I recall, earlier in the film industry, bodyguards were not paid. There were rules that only drivers, make-up and spot boys were paid by the producer. When I started working. Shah Rukh bhai, I felt that we are also working. A film is being made, we are also doing our work. We received a salary, but enough to survive.’
He says he has started talks with the producers
Yaseen revealed that he took it upon himself to raise the issue, which eventually led to wider change across the industry.“I approached the producers and said that like others have contracts, we should also be paid. There were no rules, but because of our understanding and close relationship, they started giving me an amount for films and advertisements. When I started paying, others in the industry said Shah Rukh bhai’s bodyguard is being paid, so we should too. They also approached the producers, and gradually it became a trend. Now, this is how most bodyguards working with celebrities get paid.“
He asked her for approval Gauri Khan
Before these discussions began, Yaseen said he took a nod from Gauri Khan.“I spoke to Ms. Gauri and told her that my colleagues pay for the filming, so I should do it too. “Okay, you can take it too.” Once I got the family’s permission, things slowly started to adjust with the producers.”
He questions claims of high monthly salaries
He also questioned reports suggesting that bodyguards earn as much as Rs 8-10 lakh per month.“I don’t think they earn that amount every year. If a famous person pays them based on mutual understanding, that’s different. But the salaries are not that high. Who pays Rs 8-10 lakh every month?”
From SRK’s trusted assistant to the owner of a security firm
Yaseen spent over a decade as Shah Rukh Khan’s personal bodyguard before launching his own company, YK PROSEC, in 2015. The Mumbai-based firm now handles VIP protection and event security, catering to high-profile names like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.
