Scriptwriters and Screenwriters Pay in India: An In-Depth Guide

The payment for scriptwriters and screenwriters in India can vary widely due to several factors, including their experience level, the type of project, whether it’s for film, television, or web series, and the production house in question. In 2023, here is a comprehensive overview of the different pay structures and how they vary across the industry.

Film Industry

In the film industry, the pay scales for scriptwriters and screenwriters are quite dynamic. For debut writers, the pay typically ranges from 1 lakh to 5 lakhs for a full-length feature film. More experienced writers can expect to earn between 5 lakhs to 20 lakhs, depending on the project's budget and the writer's reputation. Established writers can earn upwards of 20 lakhs to 1 crore or more for high-profile films. This variance in pay reflects the competitive nature of the film industry and the demand for top talent.

Debut Writers

Pay for debut writers ranges from 1 lakh to 5 lakhs for a full-length feature film.

Experienced Writers

Experienced writers can earn between 5 lakhs to 20 lakhs depending on the project's budget and the writer's reputation.

Established Writers

Established writers can command salaries of 20 lakhs to 1 crore or more for high-profile films.

Television Industry

The pay structures for scriptwriters and screenwriters in the television industry are also varied. Entry-level writers can earn anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 per episode. Mid-level writers can earn between 50,000 to 2 lakhs per episode, depending on the show's popularity. Top writers in the field can earn 2 lakhs to 5 lakhs or more per episode, especially for popular and well-known television series.

Entry-Level Writers

Earnings for entry-level writers range from 20,000 to 50,000 per episode.

Mid-Level Writers

Mid-level writers can earn between 50,000 to 2 lakhs per episode, depending on the show's popularity.

Top Writers

Top writers in television can earn 2 lakhs to 5 lakhs or more per episode, particularly for popular and well-known series.

Web Series Industry

In the web series industry, the pay scales are slightly different from those in film and television. New writers can earn between 50,000 to 1.5 lakhs per episode, while experienced writers can earn between 1.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs per episode, especially for popular platforms.

New Writers

New writers in web series can earn between 50,000 to 1.5 lakhs per episode.

Experienced Writers

Experienced writers can earn between 1.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs per episode, especially for popular platforms.

Remake Rights

For remake rights, which involve buying rights from another language film or script, the payment can range from 1.5 crore to 3 crore rupees (15 million to 30 million rupees). In other cinema industries in India, the scale minimums are between 7 to 20 lakhs. If the script is of exceptional quality, there is no ceiling on the amount a scriptwriter can demand.

Remake Rights for Mumbaikan Films

For Mumbaikan films, the cost of buying remake rights can range from 1.5 crore to 3 crore rupees (15 million to 30 million rupees).

Other Cinema Industries

In other cinema industries, the minimum cost for buying remake rights ranges from 7 to 20 lakhs.

Overall, the pay for scriptwriters and screenwriters in India is quite variable. Many supplement their income through multiple projects or other roles within the industry. Negotiations for fees often depend on the writer's experience and the specific demands of the project.