When Nora Fatehi had just Rs 5,000, worked at a hookah bar, & faced Bollywood rejection, she now charges Rs. 2 crore per song

When she first arrived in India with just Rs 5,000 in her pocket, Nora Fatehi had no idea how hard the journey ahead would be. Today, she’s one of Bollywood’s most sought-after performers, charging a whopping Rs 2 crore per song. But the path to stardom was anything but easy.

“People were unforgiving; they would laugh in my face”

Born in Canada to Moroccan parents, Nora faced extreme hardship and rejection in her early days in Mumbai. She did several odd jobs to survive, including working at a hookah bar.

According to Bollywood Life, she’s spoken about being bullied, ridiculed, and even told to "go back to your country" during auditions. Learning Hindi proved to be a massive challenge. Nora recalled, “People were unforgiving; they would laugh in my face. I would sit in the rickshaw, and I would be howling, and the driver would be like, Are you okay’?”

Nora’s strong determination

Despite all odds, Nora remained focused. She sacrificed everything—missing out on family events, including her brother’s wedding and birthdays. “I wouldn’t go out and socialize and party like all the other girls did and have a boyfriend. I’d lock myself in a room every day, learn the language, watch TV, and practice,” she shared.

‘Dilbar’ star goes places.
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Nora made her film debut in Roar: Tigers of the Sunderbans in 2014, but her breakthrough came with the chartbuster “Dilbar.” From there, there was no looking back. Over time, she earned admiration not just from audiences but from industry insiders too.

Meanwhile, Nora Fatehi was last seen in the Abhishek Bachchan starrer ‘Be Happy,’ which was directed by Remo’ D’Souza. Want to watch the Nora Fatehi starrer? Check out our ETimes review, which reads, “Director Remo D’Souza’s Be Happy captures the tender bond between a father and daughter, set against the vibrant world of dance. While the storyline is predictable and offers little novelty, its emotional depth and endearing moments make it engaging. The film thrives on the heartwarming relationship between Dhara and Shiv, which evolves from playful banter in the first half to heartfelt emotion in the second.”