Top 10 Highest-Paid Indian Actors, 2023–2024
This checklist of the highest-paid Indian actors consists of many standard Indian celebrities, a few of whom have starred in India’s largest field workplace hits, like Dangal and Pathaan. Let’s see how a lot they make.
Rankings 10–6
10. Akshay Kumar
Estimated earnings per film: $7–$17 million
We begin our high 10 checklist of the highest-paid Indian actors with Akshay Kumar. Although he’s tenth on our checklist based mostly on earnings, he additionally has intensive commercial offers. In 2023 alone, Akshay featured in 10% of all TV adverts, the best share of all Indian movie celebrities.
His filmography consists of beloved motion and drama titles like Mission Mangal and Airlift, which each amassed world revenues of over $16 million throughout the first week of cinema launch.
His newest success got here in 2023 when he co-produced and starred in OMG 2, the sequel to the acclaimed comedy-drama that had earned Kumar the Star of the Year title in India’s 2013 Stardust Awards. And he doesn’t present any indicators of stopping his profitable streak.
Akshay Kumar will star in a number of upcoming motion titles. One is the motion thriller Sky Force, which celebrates one of many largest moments in Indian Air Force historical past.
9. Ajith Kumar
Estimated earnings per film: $13 million
Ajith Kumar is named one of many main actors in Tamil cinema due to his memorable romance and motion roles.
In 2020, Ajith gained Best Actor in a Leading Role on the South Indian International Movie Awards for his efficiency in the motion drama Viswasam. He was additionally nominated for the Favorite Hero title in the ZEE Cine Awards in the identical yr.
His newest success was the crime drama Nerkonda Paarvai, the place he stars as Bharath Subramaniam, a somber widower and retired lawyer who takes on one ultimate felony case.
But the 52-year-old star might strike once more due to his starring function in the upcoming 2024 motion thriller Vidaa Muyarchi.
In this film, Ajith’s character embarks on a frantic journey to uncover the reality behind his spouse’s disappearance. First, although, he should overcome an unknown villain sabotaging his plans.
Unfortunately, the discharge date hasn’t been introduced but, although we’re eagerly awaiting an replace!
8. Allu Arjun
Estimated earnings per film: $12–$15 million
Allu Arjun reportedly averages $13.5 million per film. He’s one of the vital standard Tollywood stars, so his remuneration is to be anticipated. In 2020, for instance, Arjun was India’s most searched male celeb.
Often nicknamed the ‘Icon Star’ or ‘Stylish Star’ by his followers, Allu Arjun stands out for his distinctive performing fashion. He typically incorporates distinct dance strikes and struggle choreography in his films.
Allu Arjun’s largest breakthrough was between 2014 and 2016, when he starred in motion titles like Race Gurram and Sarrainodu. The latter earned him the 2017 Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor and is one among Arjun’s self-declared landmark movies.
In 2021, Arjun gained Best Actor in the Bollywood Life Awards for his main function in the motion comedy Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, his second highest-grossing film thus far.
As all the time, his unbelievable performing and dancing surprised his followers and proved once more that the Tollywood actor is a strong double menace.
7. Kamal Haasan
Estimated earnings per film: $12–$18 million
Kamal Haasan is without doubt one of the most acclaimed actors in Tamil cinema. The 69-year-old star has been gracing the silver display for over 60 years now, having starred in over 200 films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and different main Indian languages.
Given his lengthy performing profession and optimistic reception all through the years, Kamal Haasan is one among India’s most acclaimed cinema celebrities. To date, he’s earned over 60 awards and obtained 37 nominations.
His most up-to-date achievement was the 2022 motion drama Vikram, for which he gained Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Male Playback Singer on the South Indian International Movie Awards.
With three extra films popping out in 2024 and Vikram 2 already in manufacturing, we anticipate Kamal Haasan to stay amongst India’s hottest and well-paid actors for some time.
6. Salman Khan
Estimated earnings per film: $12–$18 million
Salman Khan reportedly earns as much as $18 million per film, battling with Kamal Haasan for the sixth spot. However, the Hindu actor has the higher edge, as he appears to have been amongst India’s best-paid actors for longer.
Earlier in 2015, he was among the many high 5 celebrities featured on Forbes India’s Celebrity 100, and as of 2022, his model worth sits at over $54 million.
Salman Khan is amongst India’s hottest stars, significantly among the many youth. In a 2019 survey, 14% of respondents aged 18–21 voted Salman as their favourite Indian actor.
Since his cinema debut in 1988, the actor and film producer has gained 46 awards and obtained 139 nominations.
He’s greatest identified for his main function in the 2016 motion drama Sultan, which grossed practically $1 billion worldwide and earned him seven Best Actor nominations.
As a producer, his largest success was the 2015 motion comedy Bajrangi Bhaijaan, for which he earned seven Best Actor and 5 Best Film nominations.
We’re wanting to see what Salman Khan has in retailer for us this yr along with his newest venture, Be Happy.
Rankings 5–1
5. Aamir Khan
Estimated earnings per film: $12–$21 million
We start the highest 5 highest-paid Indian actors with Aamir Khan. His stellar work as an actor and producer and dedication to humanitarian causes earned him the Padma Bhushan civilian award in 2010.
His accomplishments landed him on TIME’s 100 checklist of most influential figures in 2013.
Aamir Khan starred in a few of the highest-grossing Indian movies of all time, which earned him lots of recognition not solely in India but additionally amongst worldwide audiences:
- 3 Idiots (2009): $60 million
- PK (2014): $90 million income
- Dangal (2016): $243 million income
- Secret Superstar (2017): $103 million income
The motion drama Dangal was his largest success thus far and his most memorable social commentary piece. Currently, it’s the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide and has earned Aamir ten awards for his function as an actor and co-producer.
Dangal earned him Best International Actor on the 2017 Golden Rooster Awards and Best Asian Film on the 2017 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards.
4. Prabhas
Estimated earnings per film: $12–$24 million
Tollywood film star Prabhas began his profession in 2002 and rose to prominence in 2005. That yr, he gained Sensational Hero on the CineMAA Awards for his efficiency in the motion romance Varsham.
Prabhas is greatest identified for his motion drama field workplace hits, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. Both are amongst India’s high ten highest-grossing films worldwide, with Baahubali 2 amassing $254 million in gross world income.
His efficiency in Baahubali 2 additionally helped him win Best Actor in a Leading Role on the 2018 South Indian International Movie Awards.
Prabhas can be awaiting the discharge of his most up-to-date venture, Kalki 2898 AD, a sci-fi motion drama co-starring Kamal Haasan. It’s popping out in May 2024. Could this film turn into the 2 stars’ subsequent field workplace hit? We can’t wait to seek out out!
3. Rajinikanth
Estimated earnings per film: $18–$25 million
Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, higher often called Rajinikanth, is the third best-paid actor in India, reportedly incomes as much as $25 million per film. His business success is all of the extra inspiring to his followers, contemplating his humble beginnings as a former bus conductor.
After his debut in the 1975 romance drama Apoorva Raagangal, he went on to turn into one among India’s most famed celebrities, even receiving the Padma Vibhushan title in 2016 and profitable the 2019 Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Throughout his profession, Rajinikanth amassed a strong fan base due to his versatile performing roles as each hero and villain and his trademark humorous supply in motion comedies like Chandramukhi and Jailer.
Unsurprisingly, his performing efficiency has earned him the title of Entertainer of the Decade on the 2011 NDTV Indian of the Year Awards. More lately, he was nominated for the Favorite Hero title on the 2020 ZEE Cine Awards for his function in the motion drama Petta.
2. Joseph Vijay
Estimated earnings per film: $16–$30 million
Vijay was the best-paid Tamil actor and India’s second-highest-earning film celeb in 2023. Unfortunately, he introduced his retirement from cinema in February 2024.
Though he gained’t be on subsequent yr’s checklist of the best-paid Indian actors, Vijay’s three-decade contribution to Indian cinema will likely be lengthy remembered.
Joseph Vijay’s huge breakthrough was due to 1997 romance drama Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, for which he gained the Best Actor title on the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
However, he later went on to ascertain himself as a number one motion star due to a sequence of profitable films, together with Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), and Mersal (2017), for which he earned a number of Best Actor awards and nominations all through 2013–2018.
His newest 2023 film, Leo, was additionally well-received by the general public and amassed practically $7 million in gross worldwide income.
Fans eagerly await Vijay’s ultimate venture, The Greatest of All Time. The sci-fi motion launch is anticipated in September 2024.
1. Shah Rukh Khan
Estimated earnings per film: $18–$30 million
At the highest of our checklist is Shah Rukh Khan. Often dubbed ‘King Khan,’ or the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan is the best-known Indian actor at dwelling and overseas.
His illustrious performing profession earned him not solely the Indian Padma Shri award in 2005 but additionally the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007 and the Knight of the Legion of Honor in 2014.
Since his debut in 1988, Khan has appeared in over 100 films and TV sequence and earned a powerful 125 awards and 156 nominations.
The 58-year-old actor had a very profitable 2023 when he starred in three of India’s high 10 highest-grossing releases for the yr – Dunki, Pathaan, and Jawan. His performing in Jawan earned him a number of accolades in 2024, together with:
- Best Actor nominee on the Filmfare Awards
- Best Actor winner on the ZEE Cine Jury’s Choice Awards
- Best Actor winner on the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival
- Best Actor nominee on the Bollywood Life Awards
- Best Actor nominee on the Bollywood Film Journalist Awards
- Best Actor nominee on the International Iconic Awards
Shah Rukh Khan’s recognition (and paycheck) are effectively deserved. Given his spectacular performing profession, we will anticipate the King of Bollywood to stay the best-paid Indian actor for years to return.
What Are The Highest-Grossing Indian Movies in 2023-2024?
Aamir Khan’s 2016 launch Dangal is India’s highest-grossing film thus far, with a complete all-time income of $243 million.
Dangal’s closest competitor was Baahubali 2, which got here in second place with a complete income of roughly $217 million. Together, these two films made up slightly over 40% of the whole field workplace income of India’s high 10 films.
As for the brand new releases, the motion thriller Jawan was the highest-grossing film in India in 2023, with a income of roughly $67 million, based on Box Office India.
Though lots of 2024’s upcoming releases have but to be introduced, the highest-grossing 2024 title proper now could be the motion thriller Fighter, with an estimated world income of $43 million. However, Prabhas’s Kalki 2898 AD is the most anticipated Indian film in 2024.
Will Kalki be India’s highest-grossing film of the yr? Stay tuned to seek out out!
Who Is The Richest Indian Actor Of All Time?
According to Newz9, Shah Rukh Khan is now the richest actor in India.
His current 2023 roles in blockbusters like Jawan and Pathaan boosted his internet value, which is now roughly $735 million – practically 80% greater than Hrithik Roshan’s $410 million, who’s in second place.
However, performing isn’t King Khan’s solely supply of earnings. According to The Economic Times and The Newz9, the actor has been amassing his wealth by extra enterprise ventures.
In addition to performing, he’s additionally an envoy for a number of manufacturers, together with Pepsi, Hyundai, D’decor, and Tide. With an estimated model worth of $55.7 million, it’s clear his endorsements are very profitable.
In 2002, Shah Rukh additionally launched his personal firm – Red Chillies Entertainment – which handles film manufacturing, visible results, and promoting providers.
His VFX studio is already a go-to for large Bollywood productions, having labored on current hits like Chennai Express, Jawan, and Dunki.
Concluding Thoughts
The highest-paid Indian actors all through 2023 have lengthy been family names in Bollywood. Many boast prestigious awards and main roles in a few of India’s largest world cinema successes, like Dangal.
Currently, Shah Rukh Khan is India’s #1 star and one of many world’s richest film stars. With an estimated internet value of $735 million, he beat huge Hollywood names like Tom Cruise ($600 million) and Arnold Schwarzenegger ($450 million) in 2023/2024.
His success is a testomony to Bollywood’s rising recognition, particularly now that Prime Video has partnered with Sony Pictures Television to launch a devoted stream service in India. Although different Indian actors on this checklist are additionally quickly gaining worldwide recognition. As audiences eagerly anticipate releases like Kalki 2898 AD, we anticipate Indian actors to maintain making financial institution in the longer term.
References
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