Bollywood, being one of the biggest film industries in India, produces some of the highest paid actors in the country. With the industry having the highest demand for talent, it is only a few of the aspiring actors who are lucky enough to land roles. Bollywood is on its way to being on par with Hollywood, integrating high-end technology and trained talent. Our buzz-worthy actors too are on the rise, having net worths similar to that of Hollywood stars. GAURI HUKKERI gives us a lowdown on the 15 highest paid actors in Bollywood and how they amassed their wealth.
Top 15 Highest Paid Actors In Bollywood
Actors in Bollywood earn their fame and livelihood not only through movies, but also by working in a variety of industries like advertising, television, dubbing, and music. Entertainment news headlines are buzzing with new movies and shows to watch every minute, and these actors are commonly found to be featured in the same.
- Akshay Kumar
Originally named Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, Akshay Kumar is a Bollywood actor, producer and television personality. He started his career as a lead actor in the 1991 movie Saugandh, and has worked in over 146 movies till date. Some of his well-known movies include Khiladi, Bhool Bhulaiya, Airlift, Kesari, and Baby. His recent blockbuster Sooryavanshi, directed by Rohit Shetty, and co-starring actors Katrina Kaif and Jackie Shroff, made a gross box office collection of Rs. 293.46 Cr. worldwide. Kumar is the only Bollywood actor to have featured in the top 10 of Forbes’ list of world’s 100 highest paid actors. The actor works in at least 2-3 movies per year, alongside advertisements and brand collaborations, and charges a remuneration of around Rs. 70-90 Cr. per movie along with a share of profits, making it around Rs. 70-115 Cr. per movie.
- Ranveer Singh
A power pack of energy and enthusiasm in Bollywood, and known for making unique fashion statements, Ranveer Singh is one of the most followed actors in Bollywood now. Singh started his career with a lead role in 2010’s Band Baaja Baaraat, opposite Anushka Sharma. Since then he has played a variety of roles and acted in all kinds of movies, ranging from family dramas to historical dramas. Ranveer Singh is known for movies like Gully Boy, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Simmba, and Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, that crossed the 100 Cr. box office collection mark and contributed to his altitudinous fame. He has acted in over 25 movies till date. His much awaited movie 83 is all set to release on 24th December, 2021. Singh works in at least one movie every year, accompanied by multiple brand collaborations and advertisements. He charges around 45 Cr. per movie.
- Salman Khan
An actor, producer, filmmaker and a television show host, and known among his fans as Bhai, Salman Khan is the second highest paid actor in Bollywood. Coming from a family background of filmmakers and actors, Salman has acted in over 128 movies. He began his acting career in 1988 with a supporting role in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi. He then went on to play the leading role in one of the highest-grossing movies, Maine Pyaar Kiya, in 1989. Some of his best known films include Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. His latest blockbuster, Tiger Zinda Hai, made a whopping box office collection of Rs. 339.16 Cr! Salman Khan charges a total of Rs. 100-150 Cr. per project, including a share in the profits.
- Amitabh Bachchan
One of India’s most loved and legendary actors, Amitabh Bachchan is still an active personality in Bollywood movies as well as television shows. Amitabh Bachchan is not only known for his acting and hosting skills, but is also active in advertising, and can dub in different languages as well as sing! Son of the famous poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan started his acting career with Saat Hindustani in 1969. Over his 52-year-old and counting career in the film industry, Bachchan has acted in a variety of roles with actors of all ages, summing up to more than 200 movies in total. His hits include Sholay, Deewaar, Don, Agneepath, Zanjeer, Amar Akbar Anthony, Pink, and Piku, among others. One of the senior-most actors in the industry, Bachchan works in movies, dubbing and television every year. His remuneration per movie is Rs. 10-30 Cr.
- Shah Rukh Khan
An actor, film producer and a former television personality, Shah Rukh Khan is known as Bollywood’s ‘King Of Romance.’ Khan made his screen debut in 1988 in a television series on Doordarshan called Fauji. His film debut was in 1992 with Deewana. Khan has acted in approximately 101 films until now. He is known for his movies like Don, Don 2, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge, Om Shanti Om, and Chak De! India. His latest movie to have crossed the 100 Cr. box office collection mark was Raees, which released in 2017, earning Rs. 137.51 Cr. Apart from acting, Shah Rukh Khan also works in advertisements, runs the production house ‘Red Chillies Entertainment’ and co-owns the IPL cricket team ‘Kolkata Knight Riders.’ King Khan’s remuneration is estimated to be around Rs. 90-100 Cr. per movie, including a share in profits.
- Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan is an Indian actor, filmmaker, director, producer and a television talk show host. Khan started his full-time career as a lead actor in Bollywood in the year 1988 with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. With his time in Bollywood spanning over 30 years, Amir Khan has worked in at least 61 movies till now. His blockbusters include movies like PK, 3 Idiots, Ghajini, Dhoom 3, and Raja Hindustani, with Dangal being his latest all-time blockbuster, recording a box office collection of Rs. 387.38 Cr. His next movie, Laal Singh Chaddha, is set to release in 2022. Aamir Khan’s remuneration per movie is said to be around Rs. 100 Cr.
- Ajay Devgn
Ajay Devgn is an Indian film actor, producer, and director. He has worked in over a hundred movies till now, with his career spanning over 30 years. He made his film debut with a lead role in the 1991 movie Phool Aur Kaante. He is known for his movies like Singham, the Golmaal series, Shivaay, Son Of Sardaar and many more. Devgn released his latest blockbuster in 2020, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, which recorded a box office collection of Rs. 279.55 Cr! He is all set to release around 5 movies in 2022. Ajay Devgn charges around Rs. 60-100 Cr. per movie.
- Hrithik Roshan
Known as the ‘Greek God of Bollywood,’ Hrithik Roshan is an actor known for portraying a variety of roles and for his dancing skills. He made his screen debut as a lead actor opposite Ameesha Patel in Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai in 2006, a film which won many awards. He is known for movies like the Krrish series, Lakshya, Bang Bang! and many more. He has acted in around 40 movies till now. His latest movie, War, released in 2019 and turned out to be a blockbuster with a lifetime box office collection of Rs. 317.91 Cr. He earns his wealth through movies, advertisements, brand collaborations and his fitness brand HRX. The actor is said to earn around Rs. 70-90 Cr. per movie, and charges a share in the profits too.
- Ranbir Kapoor
One of the most versatile actors of Bollywood, Ranbir Kapoor made his acting debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya in 2007 opposite Sonam Kapoor. The son of the late legendary actor Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir is known for his movies like Rockstar, Sanju, Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. He has acted in at least 25 movies till now. His latest blockbuster, Sanju, made a massive box office collection of Rs. 586.85 Cr! His next and much awaited release is Brahmāstra. The film also stars Alia Bhatt and Amitabh Bachchan and is set to release in September, 2022. While the actor may not be necessarily seen in movies every year, he works in advertisements for brands like Flipkart, Pepsi, Coke etc. Ranbir Kapoor is said to charge around Rs.60-70 Cr. per movie.
(In a still from Sanju with Paresh Rawal)
- Varun Dhawan
The chocolate boy and one of the youngest stars of Bollywood, Varun Dhawan is the 10th highest paid actor in Bollywood. He made his acting debut in a leading role in 2012’s Student of The Year. He is known to have portrayed various kinds of roles, excelling in all of them. He is well known for his movies like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Hero, and Badlapur. Varun Dhawan is seen in at least one movie every year, works in advertisements and is frequently seen doing brand collaborations. He charges an estimated amount of around Rs. 30-40 Cr. per movie.
- Kartik Aaryan
The latest sensation of the industry, Kartik Aaryan is one of the newest and youngest actors to have achieved fame quickly. He made his debut as one of the lead roles in the 2011 movie Pyaar Ka Punchnama and became a known figure for his good looks and attitude. Since then, he has portrayed a variety of roles in movies like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luka Chuppi, Love Aaj Kal 2, and Pati Patni Aur Woh. His next, Bhool Bhulaiya 2, which is set to release in 2022, is being looked forward to by the audience. Apart from movies, Aaryan is known to have featured in advertisements and brand collaborations. His remuneration per movie is estimated to be around Rs. 20-30 Cr.
- Ayushmann Khurrana
Swaying his followers with his good looks, acting, humble nature and singing, Ayushmann Khurrana is one of the most well-known celebs of the industry. He debuted with the 2012 romantic comedy Vicky Donor and also won the Best Debut Male award from Filmfare. He was absent from the big screen for a while after his initial movies, but sprung back to limelight and success with a variety of movies and challenging roles. His well-known movies include Andhaadhun, Article 15, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan. Films like Bala, Dream Girl, and Badhaai Ho crossed the 100 Cr mark because of their unique storylines and Khurrana’s phenomenal acting! The actor is seen working in movies, brand collaborations, advertisements, singing, and in music albums. He is said to charge around Rs. 15-25 Cr. per movie.
- Tiger Shroff
The gymnast star of Bollywood, Tiger Shroff is known for his dancing and acting skills as well as good looks. The son Bollywood’s Bhidu, i.e. Jackie Shroff, Tiger made his debut with Heropanti opposite Kriti Sanon in 2014. Since then, he has been an active part of the industry. He is known for his movies like Baaghi, Baaghi 2, War, Student Of The Year 2 etc. His recent movie War, in which he co-starred alongside Hrithik Roshan, amassed a tremendous lifetime box office collection of Rs. 317.91 Cr. Tiger Shroff works in movies, album videos, advertisements and brand collaborations. The actor charges around Rs. 30 Cr. per movie.
- Vicky Kaushal
The Joshila actor, who was in the news recently for his marriage with actress Katrina Kaif, is the nation’s crush and a well-respected star of Bollywood. He started his journey in Bollywood as an assistant director, and later debuted with a lead role in 2015’s Masaan. The actor is known for his flexibility in playing all kinds of roles, energy and good looks. He is known for his roles in movies like Raazi, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Manmarziyaan, and Sardar Udham. The actor is observed to release at least one movie every year, and work in advertisements and brand collaborations. His 2019 blockbuster movie, Uri: The Surgical Strike, earned an attractive box office collection of Rs. 245.36 Cr. Vicky Kaushal’s remuneration per movie is said to be around Rs. 15-20 Cr.
- Saif Ali Khan
The Badshah of Pataudi, and one of the most elegant personalities in Bollywood, Saif Ali Khan is an actor and producer. The son of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, Khan made his debut with Parampara in 1993. Since then, the actor has been an active part of the industry, doing different kinds of roles in a variety of movies. Some of his well-known films include Hum Tum, Kal Ho Na Ho, Salaam Namaste, Love Aaj Kal, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Dil Chahta Hai. Apart from movies, Khan has also acted in web series like Sacred Games and Tandav. He also works in advertisements and brand collaborations. His latest blockbuster was Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior in 2020, which hit a box office collection of Rs. 279.55 Cr. Saif Ali Khan is said to charge Rs. 11-30 Cr. per movie or series.
From the list of celebs shared above, it is quite evident that with great hard work comes great money. Apart from movies, all the celebs are seen working in other industries like advertising, music and marketing. Most of them have made their careers for the love of cinema, and there’s definitely no end to their love for the foreseeable future!
Source of Pictures- Instagram
