Highest-Paid Bollywood Actors Per Movie

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Bollywood has become one of the most powerful film industries in the global entertainment market, with top actors commanding massive per-movie salaries through upfront fees, profit-sharing models, and digital distribution deals. The highest-paid Bollywood actors per film now earn amounts that rival major Hollywood stars, especially when backend profits are included.

Highest-Paid Bollywood Actors Per Movie

1. Shah Rukh Khan – $30M–$40M+
   Uses a profit-sharing model instead of a fixed salary. With mega blockbusters like Pathaan and Jawan, his total per-film earnings often surpass every other Bollywood star.
2. Salman Khan – $25M–$35M
   Charges one of the highest upfront fees in the industry and secures a large percentage of theatrical and digital revenue.
3. Aamir Khan – $25M–$30M
   The pioneer of backend profit deals in Bollywood. His earnings per film skyrocket when a movie performs strongly at the global box office.
4. Akshay Kumar – $15M–$25M
   Known for massive upfront payments and a high annual release volume, making him one of the most commercially consistent stars.
5. Hrithik Roshan – $10M–$15M
   Commands premium fees for action franchises and big-budget theatrical releases.
6. Ranbir Kapoor – $10M–$15M
   His market value surged after the worldwide success of Animal, placing him among the highest-paid per project.
7. Ajay Devgn – $8M–$12M
   Earns through acting fees plus producer and distribution profits, significantly increasing his per-film income.
8. Ranveer Singh – $8M–$12M
   One of the top-paid modern Bollywood stars with strong brand value and global streaming demand.
9. Saif Ali Khan – $5M–$8M
   Balances theatrical and OTT projects with high remuneration per appearance.
10. Varun Dhawan – $4M–$7M
    Among the highest-paid actors in the younger commercial Bollywood generation.
11. Shahid Kapoor – $4M–$6M
    His salary increased significantly after the success of Kabir Singh and major streaming deals.
12. Kartik Aaryan – $3M–$5M
    Box-office success and franchise films pushed his per-film fee into the top tier of the new generation.
13. Tiger Shroff – $3M–$5M
    High demand for action films keeps his remuneration among the highest for younger stars.
14. Sidharth Malhotra – $2M–$4M
    Became one of Bollywood’s most bankable mid-budget stars after the streaming success of Shershaah. His per-film remuneration increased significantly due to strong OTT demand, brand endorsements, and action franchise projects.
15. Arjun Kapoor – $2M–$3M
    Maintains a steady income through commercial entertainers, ensemble casts, and high-value digital rights deals. His earnings per movie are driven more by satellite and streaming partnerships than theatrical performance alone.

Why Bollywood Actors Earn So Much Per Movie

The biggest stars no longer rely only on fixed salaries. Profit-sharing agreements, streaming rights, satellite deals, and overseas theatrical revenue allow them to multiply their total earnings. The rise of Pan-India films has also unified the market, enabling South Indian superstars to reach the same salary bracket as Bollywood’s biggest names.

Bollywood vs Hollywood Per-Film Salaries

Top Bollywood actors can earn $30M–$40M+ from a single blockbuster through backend deals, while most Hollywood stars receive $20M–$25M upfront before bonuses. This shift highlights the growing global financial power of Indian cinema.

Sources

Forbes – Celebrity earnings reports

GQ India – Bollywood remuneration analysis

Bollywood Hungama – Trade and salary data

Koimoi – Box office and payment insights

IMDb – Industry database and film economics