The Indian film industry is the world’s largest in terms of overall film output. India has many states, and each state has its own language, especially in south India. Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada language movies are becoming popular. Movie fans can now enjoy their favorite movies in their native language.
Millions of people both in India and throughout the world, are admirers of Indian film. Most big-budget movies are often dubbed into many languages and released in India and other countries at the same time. A number of movies have performed well at the box office recently, and actor pay has increased along with it.
The analysis of the list is solely on their earnings per single movie, excluding any profits earned as a partner or producer.
1. Joseph Vijay
Actor – Producer – Singer
Vijay made his acting debut as a child artist in the film Vetri (1984) at the age of 10. His father, S.A. Chandrasekhar, is a well-known director in the Tamil film industry. His mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, is a playback singer and director. He is known for his exceptional dancing skills, often performing intricate and energetic steps in his songs. He has also sung several songs for his movies. He is actively involved in charitable activities and has helped underprivileged children, contributing to various social causes.
Remuneration facts: He is the highest-paid actor in India, and possibly all of Asia, with a reported fee of Rs 275 crore for his upcoming film Thalapathy 69. He also charged ₹200 crore for The Greatest of All TIme (GOAT). His many recent movies collected over 200 crores including Leo, The Greatest of All Time, Varisu, Bigil, Sarkar, Beast, Master, Mersal are among the highest-grossing Tamil films.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹130 – 275 crores 2 3 4
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2. Shah Rukh Khan
Actor – Producer – Businessman
Born on November 2, 1965, in New Delhi, Khan spent the first five years of his life in Mangalore. Before his film career, he honed his acting skills with Delhi’s Theatre Action Group (TAG). Khan was honored with the title of ‘Datuk’, equivalent to a knighthood, by the Governor of Malacca, Malaysia, making him the first Indian actor to receive this honor. In November 2011, he became the first Indian to receive the prestigious UNESCO Pyramide con Marni award, honoring his remarkable charitable acts.
Remuneration facts: The movie Pathaan was made on a budget of ₹270 crore and he earned a total profit of ₹333 crore, with receiving ₹200 crore as his share. Recently, it has been reported that Shah Rukh Khan has demanded over ₹100 crore and will also receive a 60% share of the profits from Atlee’s movie Jawan 5. SRK has charged a relatively modest fee for Dunki, significantly less than the current ₹100 crore trend.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹150 – 250 crores
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3. Rajinikanth
Actor – Writer – Producer
Rajinikanth has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and even Bengali films. Before his acting career, he worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service. Rajinikanth is known for his generous donations to various causes, including education and disaster relief, often done anonymously. He has received the Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2016) for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Remuneration facts: Rajinikanth, following the success of Jailer (Rs 600 crore earnings, Tamil cinema’s highest-grosser of 2023), has increased his fees. Rajinikanth, earned ₹250 crore for Jailer7. For his upcoming film Thalaivar 171, he reportedly charges Rs 260-280 crore, marking his 171st lead role.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹125 – 280 crores 8
4. Prabas
Actor
Prabhas’ full name is Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju. He hails from a Telugu-speaking family in Andhra Pradesh. He is the nephew of Telugu actor and politician Krishnam Raju, who was a significant influence on his acting career. With the Baahubali series, Prabhas became one of the first Indian actors to gain pan-India and global stardom, with the films grossing over ₹2,000 crore worldwide.
Remuneration facts: Prabhas charged an impressive ₹150 crore for his film Kalki 2898 AD by Nag Ashwin. For Salaar, he received a base fee of ₹100 crore along with a 10% share of the profits. Additionally, he was reportedly paid ₹120 crore for Radhe Shyam and ₹150 crore for Adipurush.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹100 – 150 crores
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5. Aamir Khan
Actor – Producer – Singer – Director
Aamir appeared as a child artist in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) at the age of eight. He recieved Padma Shri (fourth highest civilian award) in 2003, and Padma Bhushan (third highest civilian award) in 2010. Aamir declined a role in The Lord of the Rings to avoid staying away from his family for too long.
Remuneration facts: Like Dangal, Aamir Khan opted for a profit-sharing deal for PK and is said to have earned around ₹100 crore from its success. For Secret Superstar, Aamir Khan earned a substantial share of the profits, reportedly taking home approximately ₹70-80 crore. Aamir Khan reportedly did not charge an upfront fee for Dangal. Instead, he opted for a profit-sharing model, earning around ₹175 crore from the film’s massive success.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹100 – 175 crores
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6. Kamal Haasan
Actor – Writer – Director – Producer
Kamal Haasan began his acting career at just 4 years old in the Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma (1960). He is a trained classical dancer and has expertise in Bharatanatyam. He introduced advanced makeup techniques in Indian cinema, particularly in films like Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Indian (1996). Kamal has been honored with both the Padma Shri (1990) and the Padma Bhushan (2014).
Remuneration facts: Kamal Haasan reportedly charged ₹50 crores for his acting performance in his recent movie Vikram. Kamal Haasan’s total earnings from Vikram are estimated to be in the range of ₹150-200 crores, considering both his upfront remuneration and profit share.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹100 – 150 crores
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7. Salman Khan
Actor – Producer
He started his career as a supporting actor in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988). Salman Khan is an accomplished painter, and many of his artworks are displayed in his home. He has even painted posters for his films. Through his foundation, Being Human, Salman funds education and healthcare for underprivileged people, often without seeking public attention.
Remuneration facts: Salman reportedly took home ₹100 crore for Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Bharat (2019), including profit-sharing from the film’s box office success. Salman charged ₹130 crore for Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), including his share of profits. In recent years, Salman Khan has increasingly adopted a profit-sharing model for his films, allowing him to earn significantly more from their success.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹100 – 150 crores
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8. Allu Arjun
Actor – Producer
He made his debut with Gangotri (2003). His Pushpa series achieved pan-India success. Famous for unique dance styles and mass appeal.
Remuneration facts: Allu Arjun had asked for Rs 150 crore for his film Pusha 2 but settled for Rs 125 crore eventually 10. Allu Arjun does not have a profit-sharing agreement for Pushpa 2. Instead, he has opted for a fixed remuneration model. Reports suggest that he is being paid a whopping ₹125 crores for the film, making him one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹100 – 125 crores
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9. Ajith Kumar
Actor – Producer
Remuneration facts: Ajith reportedly earned around ₹70-100 crores for this action-packed thriller. Ajith’s remuneration could exceed ₹120 crores for his upcoming movies.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹80 – 120 crores
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10. Akshay Kumar
Actor – Producer – Writer
Akshay Kumar’s real name is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a martial arts instructor in Bangkok, Thailand, where he also learned Muay Thai and worked as a chef and waiter.
Remuneration facts: He reportedly charges between ₹60 crore to ₹145 crore per movie, depending on the project’s scale and budget.
Remuneration per Movie: ₹60 – 145 crores
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Highest Paid Hindi Actors (Bollywood)
Bollywood films are screened nationwide, with a concentration of theaters in North India. Notably, actor remuneration can constitute a significant portion of a film’s budget. or instance, Aamir Khan earned approximately ₹275 crore from the film ‘Dangal’.
In terms of production volume and box office revenue, Bollywood remains a dominant force in Indian cinema, contributing significantly to the country’s cultural and economic landscape.
1. Shah Rukh Khan
Actor – Producer – Businessman
Remuneration: ₹130 – 275 crores per movie
2. Aamir Khan
Actor – Producer – Singer – Director
Remuneration: ₹100 – 175 crores per movie
3. Salman Khan
Actor – Producer
Remuneration: ₹100 – 150 crores per movie
3. Akshay Kumar
Actor – Producer – Writer
Remuneration: ₹60 – 145 crores per movie
Highest Paid Tamil Actors (Kollywood)
Tamil cinema, commonly known as Kollywood, stands as India’s second-largest film industry after Hindi cinema, boasting a commendable box office performance. Each year, the industry produces hundreds of films, significantly contributing to the Indian film landscape. Actors in Tamil cinema command substantial salaries, determined by the prominence of their roles and the success of their films.
- Vijay: With his impending transition into politics, Vijay’s remuneration has seen a significant increase, ranging from ₹200 crore to ₹250 crore per film.
- Ajith Kumar: Known for his consistent box office successes, Ajith commands a salary of approximately ₹163 crore per project.
- Rajinikanth: The legendary actor continues to be a top earner, with fees ranging between ₹140 crore to ₹150 crore per film.
- Kamal Haasan: Following the success of his recent projects, Kamal Haasan’s remuneration has risen to over ₹100 crore per film, along with the Hindi rights of the said film.
- Suriya: A leading figure in Tamil cinema, Suriya’s earnings are up to ₹60 crore per movie.
- Dhanush: Known for his versatility, Dhanush’s remuneration is up to ₹50 crore per project.
Highest Paid Telugu Actors (Tollywood)
The Telugu film industry, commonly known as Tollywood, stands as one of India’s most prominent cinematic sectors, alongside Hindi and Tamil cinema. Annually, Tollywood produces over a hundred films, many of which achieve significant commercial success, especially those featuring renowned stars.
In 2023, the industry surpassed the ₹2,000 crore mark in box office collections, reflecting its robust growth and popularity.
Actor remunerations in Tollywood are substantial, with top actors commanding fees in the range of ₹100 crore and beyond per film.
Prabhas
Known for his roles in the ‘Baahubali’ series, Prabhas commands fees between ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore per movie.
Allu Arjun
Celebrated for his performance in ‘Pushpa: The Rise’, Allu Arjun charges around ₹100 crore to ₹125 crore per film.
Jr NTR
A prominent figure in Telugu cinema, Jr NTR’s remuneration is approximately ₹100 crore per project.
Ram Charan
Known for his role in ‘RRR’, Ram Charan earns between ₹90 crore to ₹100 crore per movie.
Mahesh Babu
A leading actor in Tollywood, Mahesh Babu’s fees range from ₹80 crore to ₹100 crore per film.
Highest Paid Kannada Actors (Sandalwood)
The Kannada film industry, headquartered in Bangalore, ranks as India’s fourth largest, following the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu film industries. Renowned for its diverse acting styles, Kannada cinema often blends romance and action to cater to audience preferences. Dr. Rajkumar was the highest-paid actor in Kannada cinema at that period., his all movies were commercially successful.
Karnataka is home to approximately 950 single-screen theaters, and the industry produces over 100 films annually. Recent years have witnessed a surge in the commercial success of Kannada films, leading to increased production budgets and increase in actors remuneration.
Presented below is a list of the highest-paid Kannada actors, along with other relevant details.
Highest Paid Malayalam Actors (Mollywood)
Malayalam cinema, commonly referred to as Mollywood, ranks as the fifth-largest film industry in India, following Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, in terms of film output and viewership. Renowned for its talented actors, directors, and scriptwriters, the industry has produced numerous blockbuster films, many of which have been adapted into other Indian languages.
Prominent actors such as Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Jayaram continue to play significant roles in Malayalam cinema. Their contributions have been instrumental in elevating the industry’s status both nationally and internationally.
1. Mohanlal
Actor – Producer
Remuneration: ₹8 – 17 crores per movie
2. Mammootty
Actor – Producer
Remuneration: ₹4 – 10 crores per movie
2. Prithviraj Sukumaran
Actor – Producer
Remuneration: ₹5 – 10 crores per movie
2. Dulquer Salmaan
Actor – Producer
Remuneration: ₹3 – 8 crores per movie
2. Fahadh Faasil
Actor – Producer
Remuneration: ₹4 – 8 crores per movie
Reference:
- GOAT star Thalapathy Vijay’s Rs 600 crore net worth: A look at his luxurious life Sep 05, 2024, 14:21 IST ↩︎
- Thalapathy Vijay surpasses Shah Rukh Khan, becomes India’s highest-paid actor at Rs 275 crore for Thalapathy 69 Sep 13, 2024, 14:25 IST ↩︎
- Vijay becomes the highest-paid Indian actor as he charges Rs 275 crore for ‘thalapathy 69’ ↩︎
- Is Vijay The Highest Paid Actor In India? September 30, 2024 17:21 IST ↩︎
- Jawan Movie Cast Salary: Shahrukh Khan September 7, 2023 ↩︎
- A look into Shah Rukh Khan’s enviable Rs 7,300 crore networth ↩︎
- India’s highest-paid actor charged ₹300 crore for one film, way more than Shah Rukh, Salman Khan, Prabhas or Rajinikanth Nov 20, 2024 04:36 PM IST ↩︎
- India’s highest paid actor charges Rs 280 crore per film; it’s not Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir, Akshay, Prabhas, Allu Arjun Apr 08, 2024, 10:49 AM IST ↩︎
- Aamir Khan, who has a mammoth net worth of Rs 1862 crore 3 January 2024 ↩︎
- Allu Arjun demands a whopping sum of around Rs 125 crore as fee for Pushpa 2 ↩︎
