Top 10 Highest-Paid Actors of 2024: How South Indian Stars Are Outshining Their Bollywood Counterparts!

In the vibrant realm of cinema, from the opulent studios of Bollywood to the dynamic sets of Tollywood, the financial prowess of film industry luminaries has undergone a remarkable transformation. The trajectory of their earnings reflects not merely a rise in paychecks but a substantial shift in their economic influence and global stature. Over the decades, these cinematic titans have elevated their financial standing to unprecedented heights, symbolizing a broader evolution within the industry.

Top 5 Highest Paid Actors in India ( Per film ) :-1 - SRK : 150 - 250 crores2 - Rajinikanth : 150 - 210 crores3 - Vijay : 130 - 200 crores4 - Prabhas : 100 - 200 crores5 - Aamir Khan : 100 - 175 croresSource - IMDB pic.twitter.com/NdAqjynF0l

— CineHub (@Its_CineHub) March 22, 2024

The South Indian film industry, once considered a modest player, has emerged as a formidable force, showcasing exceptional talent and commanding considerable attention. It is particularly noteworthy that many of the highest-paid actors today hail from this region, signifying a paradigm shift in the industry’s economic landscape.

A Glimpse at the Top Ten Highest-Paid Actors

Shahrukh Khan: ₹150-250 Crore (Film: Dunki) - Grossing ₹6300 Crore

Rajinikanth: ₹115-250 Crore (Film: Jailer) - Grossing ₹430 Crore

Joseph Vijay: ₹130-200 Crore (Film: Leo) - Grossing ₹474 Crore

Prabhas: ₹100-200 Crore (Film: Salaar) - Grossing ₹241 Crore

Aamir Khan: ₹150-175 Crore (Film: Laal Singh Chaddha) - Grossing ₹1864 Crore

Salman Khan: ₹100-150 Crore (Film: Tiger 3) - Grossing ₹2900 Crore

Kamal Haasan: ₹100-150 Crore (Approx. 200 films) - Grossing ₹150 Crore

Allu Arjun: ₹100-125 Crore (Film: Pushpa) - Grossing ₹350 Crore

Akshay Kumar: ₹60-145 Crore (Film: Sarfira) - Grossing ₹2500 Crore

Ajith Kumar: ₹105 Crore (Film: Thunivu) - Grossing ₹196 Crore

The resurgence of Shahrukh Khan, following a period of relative obscurity, was marked by the resounding success of his 2023 blockbusters, Pathaan and Jawan. Both films surpassed ₹2300 Crore at the global box office, reaffirming Khan’s dominance in Bollywood with a staggering net worth of ₹6300 Crore. Similarly, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar have cultivated a loyal fan base through their diverse filmography, ranging from comedic brilliance in 3 Idiots and Bhool Bhulaiyaa to profound social commentaries and biographical narratives.

Highest Paid actors Of Their Respective Industries Tollywood - #Prabhas Kollywood - #ThalapathyVijay Mollywood - #Mohanlal Sandalwood - #Yash Bollywood - #ShahrukhKhan

— Cinema Craze (@FilmyNagri) April 12, 2024

Tollywood’s ascent is equally remarkable. Rajinikanth, the preeminent figure in South Indian cinema, commanded an impressive ₹110 Crore for his recent blockbuster, Jailer. Joseph Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, achieved notable success with Leo, which became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023. Meanwhile, Prabhas, celebrated for his role in Baahubali, has witnessed a remarkable 94% surge in his net worth over the past eight years.

A Historical Perspective: The '90s Era

Reflecting on the late 1990s, the film industry’s landscape was vastly different. Icons such as Akshay Kumar, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and the Khans were the reigning stars, commanding significant attention and shaping the industry’s trajectory. Sunny Deol, for instance, was the highest-paid actor of that era, earning ₹90 Lakh for his role in Border. Despite a string of subsequent flops, Deol made a resounding comeback with Gadar 2, which became the highest-grossing film of his career and the sixth-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. With a production budget of ₹60 Crore, Gadar 2 amassed ₹691.08 Crore worldwide.

1990 to 1999 Golden era of #sunnydeol with highest success ratio with highest paid actor of B'woodRemember this data is only for 1990 to 1999IN 80sBetaabSohni MahiwalArjunPaap Ki DuniyaVardiTridevChaalBaaz2000 to 2024FARZGadar 1 & 2HEROAPNEYPDCHUP#Gadar2 pic.twitter.com/paW1M93Cpw

— @patelforever ( Patidar 🚩) (@adityapatel811) August 14, 2024

Other top-paid actors of the '90s included Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Aamir Khan, Govinda, and Akshay Kumar. Their earnings during this period were as follows:

Sanjay Dutt: ₹80 Lakh

Govinda: ₹60 Lakh

Akshay Kumar: ₹30-40 Lakh

Aamir Khan: ₹30-35 Lakh

Shahrukh Khan: ₹30 Lakh

Ajay Devgn: ₹30 Lakh

Salman Khan: ₹20-25 Lakh

Suniel Shetty: ₹20 Lakh

The significant shift in actors' earnings from lakhs to crores underscores a broader evolution in the film industry. Modern cinema, distinguished by impactful storytelling, sophisticated visuals, and innovative narratives, has elevated the commercial value of films. 

- PTC PUNJABI