Bollywood is the focal point of India’s visual media ecosystem because of its popularity among the nation’s Hindi-speaking populace, who speak the language the most. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that some of the highest-paid Indian actors are from Bollywood. In contrast to common perception, the majority of the top 10 highest-paid Indian actors come from the South Indian film industry.
Although South Indian cinema has garnered widespread recognition in recent times due to its action-packed narratives that captivate audiences nationwide, it has long maintained a cult following. Actors from South India have consequently made significant inroads into the list of the top 10 highest paid Indian actors.
This piece examines the list of highest paid Indian actors in order to provide readers with an understanding of the high earners.
Indian actors in the top 10 paid list
Based on information gathered from IMDb and arranged from highest to lowest salary, these are the top 10 highest-paid Indian actors:
| Rank | Actor Name | Approximate Fee Charged Per Movie |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Shah Rukh Khan | Rs150 crores-250 crores |
| 2. | Rajinikanth | Rs150 crores-210 crores |
| 3. | Joseph Vijay | Rs130 crores-200 crores |
| 4. | Prabhas | Rs100 crores-200 crores |
| 5. | Aamir Khan | Rs100 crores-175 crores |
| 6. | Salman Khan | Rs100 crores-150 crores |
| 7. | Kamal Haasan | Rs100 crores-150 crores |
| 8. | Allu Arjun | Rs100 crores-125 crores |
| 9. | Akshay Kumar | Rs60 crores-145 crores |
| 10. | Ajith Kumar | Rs105 crores |
An in-depth examination of the highest-paid Indian actors
What gives these “heroes” their enormous income, then? With films that have offered social messages, family dramas, romance, action, and just plain entertainment, they have had illustrious careers that have attracted countless fans to increase their notoriety. Here is a glimpse into what they do:
Shah Rukh Khan
Approx net worth: Rs. 6300 crores.
Despite a few major failures in his career, Shah Rukh Khan, also known as “King Khan,” has managed to deliver two back-to-back blockbusters in 2023, Jawan and Pathaan, both of which have grossed over Rs. 2000 crores globally. Dunki, his most recent release, is still making a lot of money and demonstrating his star power. After beginning his career with television shows in the late 1980s and making his Bollywood debut with the film Deewana in 1992, Shah Rukh Khan broke records after building his career from the ground up and is currently the highest-paid Bollywood star.
The Rajinikanth
Approx net worth: Rs430 crore
Attracting enthusiastic audiences with just his appearance in a film, Rajinikanth—the highest-paid actor from South India—has all but become a living god in the region. With a background primarily in Tamil cinema, his real name is Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. After charging Rs110 crores for the film, Rajinikanth’s action comedy Jailer became a box office hit.
Joseph Vijay
Approx net worth: Rs474 crores
Thalapathy Vijay, aka Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, is another highly compensated South Indian actor. His career stretches over two decades, having begun in 1984 at the age of ten as a child artist in the film Vetri. One of the most lucrative actors in the South Asian film industry, Vijay’s 2023 productions include Varisu, which brought in about Rs300 crore globally, and Leo, which brought in over Rs612 crore. Leo is noteworthy for being the highest-grossing Tamil movie of 2023.
Prabhas
Approx net worth: Rs241 crore
After SS Rajamouli’s groundbreaking Baahubali duology was released, Prabhas became a true star, and in the ensuing eight years, his net worth has increased by 94%. Despite the controversial failure of his previous film Adipurush, Salaar has so far brought in a total domestic net income of Rs369.37 crore, surpassing the net earnings of Rajinikanth’s Jailer, which stands at Rs348.55 crore.
Khan Aamir
Approx net worth: Rs1862 crore
Aamir Khan’s fan base values his deliberate film selections, and he has been dubbed “Mr. Perfectionist” for his commitment to flawless execution in all media he participates in. After critical and commercial success with his last film, Laal Singh Chaddha in 2022, he is expected to follow up with the release of Sitaare Zameen Par in 2024, a holiday film that follows in the footsteps of popular films like Dangal, PK, and 3 Idiots.
Salman Khan
Approx net worth: Rs2900 crore
Another well-liked Bollywood star, Salman Khan’s persona has evolved over the years from the idealistic Prem of the 1990s to the popular “bhai” of the early 2000s. Due to his increasing popularity, he is now among the highest paid actors in India. Over Rs466.63 crore has been made worldwide by his most recent release, Tiger 3.
Kamal Hassan
Approx net worth: Rs150 crore
Having acted in about 220 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi, Kamal Hassan is another South Indian phenomenon. The actor’s upcoming KH 234 with director Mani Ratnam is generating excitement, even though there was no release for him in 2023.
Allu Arjun
Approx net worth: Rs350 crore
In India, Arjun is most recognized for his lead part in the 2021 Telugu movie Pushpa: The Rise. Pushpa: The Rule-Part 2, the sequel, is slated for release in 2024 and is predicted to smash box office records set by Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
Akshay Kumar
Approx net worth: Rs2500 crore
In family-friendly films like Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and others, Akshay Kumar is renowned for his comedic timing. He has also appeared in a number of films with significant social messages in recent years, such as Padman, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, and others. Although he didn’t have any big hits in 2023, OMG 2, which featured him as a guest, made about Rs221 crore globally.
Ajith Kumar
Approx net worth: Rs196 crore
Fans praised Kumar, who is among the highest-paid actors from South India, for his performance in the 2023 film Thunivu. In India, the film grossed a total of Rs130 crores.
Topics #Bollywood #Indian Actors #Joseph Vijay #Prabhas #Rajinikanth #Shah Rukh Khan #South Indian Cinema
