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Last Updated:May 16, 2025, 18:34 is

Munmun Dutta talked about her first-ever paycheck and shared how it shaped the way she handles money even today.

It has been over a decade and a half since actress Munmun Dutta began entertaining audiences with her role as Babita Iyer in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. While she is now among the most popular names on TV, Munmun had a humble beginning. In a recent chat, the actress talked about the first-ever paycheck she received early in her career and shared how it shaped the way she handles money even today.

Munmun revealed that she first earned money at the age of seven when she sang for Air India Radio. “I received my first paycheck when I was just seven years old, Rs 125 for singing on Air India Radio,” she recalled while speaking with ETimes. The actress recalled that she did not splurge the money on anything. Instead, Munmun handed the entire amount to her mother, who kept it safe.

As she moved on with her career, Munmun Dutta explained that she still was very careful with her finances. She said, “I’ve always been extremely cautious with money. I come from a lower middle-class background, so splurging just because I had some money was never part of my mindset, and honestly, it still isn’t.”

Instead of spending, Munmun shared that she focused more on saving and investing her money mindfully. During the early days of her career, she made sure to have enough money saved to cover a few months of rent so she could go for auditions without the “stress of immediate survival.” “That was my version of splurging, securing peace of mind,” she added.

In the same conversation, Munmun Dutta revealed that one of her biggest dreams was to buy a house on her own in Mumbai, and her ultimate goal was to achieve financial stability. She shared that after she began earning regularly, she decided to stay put in the same PG rather than rush into a more expensive lifestyle. Only when she was able to afford it, Mummun moved to a small apartment of her own.

“I love money, I respect money, and I truly believe it’s one of the most important things in life. I’ve always treated it with care and responsibility, and that perspective continues to guide my choices to this day,” Munmun said.

Chirag Sehgal

Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin…Read More

Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin… Read More

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