The Highest-Paid South Indian Actors

South Indian cinema is renowned for its prominent stars, who not only captivate audiences with their performances but also earn impressive remuneration for their contributions. As of the latest data, certain actors stand out with their lucrative contracts, reflecting their popularity and impact on the industry.

Rajinikanth: A Century of Stardom

Undoubtedly, Rajinikanth is one of the biggest stars in India, and his remuneration significantly impacts box office revenues. As of 2023, he commands a staggering salary. For instance, in his latest film Darbar, he was paid 118 crores including GST. However, following the failure of Darbar, his subsequent film, produced by Sun Pictures, was agreed upon at a significantly reduced fee of 58 crores, which is half of his previous earning. Despite these fluctuations, Rajinikanth remains a super star in the truest sense, drawing millions of fans to the theaters.

Reference: After Darbar failure, Rajinikanth’s salary halved for next film with Sun Pictures

Vijay: The Thaliapathy's Success

Thalapathy Vijay from Tamil Nadu has also been paying handsomely for his films. For his highest-grossing film Bigil, he received 50 crores, and for his latest film Master, he was paid 80 crores. While Vijay hasn't officially announced these figures, reports from industry insiders and sources confirm these figures.

Reference: I-T report reveals Vijay's salary: Sarkar actor received Rs 50 crore for Bigil and Rs 80 crore for Master

Prabhas: The Bahubali Success

Prabhas, from the Telugu film industry, has also been reaping substantial remuneration. After the extremely successful Bahubali Series, he was offered 100 crores for his big-budget film Saaravana Bhama (SAAHO). However, due to budget overruns, his salary was reduced to 70 crores. Additionally, it is reported that for his next film with producers Nag Ashwin, his remuneration is expected to be around 120 crores as a share of the profit.

Reference: Prabhas 21: Shocking remuneration of the actor gets revealed

Other High-Earning Stars

Several other prominent actors in the South Indian film industry also secure lucrative salaries. For instance, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, and Ajith Kumar have each received over 50 crores for their films. Pawan Kalyan, for his role in JNTR, and Ajith Kumar, for his performance in various films, both have remuneration figures exceeding 50 crores.

It is worth noting that actors in the South Indian film industry do not officially announce their remuneration due to issues related to the Income Tax (IT) laws. However, certain reports and industry sources provide insights into the figures involved. For example, Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Vijay have been paid between 30 to 80 crores per film, as per unofficial reports.

References: Mohanlal - 64.5 crores, Prabhas - 35 crores, Vijay - 30 crores

Conclusion

The landscape of remuneration in South Indian cinema is highly competitive, with leading stars commanding substantial fees. Rajinikanth, Vijay, and Prabhas stand out due to their immense popularity, contractual successes, and the financial stability they bring to films. As the industry continues to evolve, these actors' earnings serve as a benchmark for others in the industry.

Reference Sources:

I-T report reveals Vijay's salary After Darbar failure, Rajinikanth's salary halved for next film with Sun Pictures Prabhas 21: Shocking remuneration of the actor gets revealed

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