Top 10 highest-paid actors in India in 2024

The Indian film industry ranks among the world's largest producers. Although Hindi films traditionally hold sway over audiences, Southern language films have made notable inroads into the Hindi-speaking regions, garnering significant appreciation.

In recent years, South Indian cinema has gained widespread recognition, captivating audiences nationwide with its dynamic narratives and action-packed plots. However, these films have enjoyed cult status across India for quite some time. Consequently, a surge of South Indian actors has made their mark in the list of the top 10 highest-paid Indian actors.

Forbes has compiled data from IMDB to unveil the top 10 highest-paid actors in India, making for an intriguing list.

1. Shahrukh Khan

With an approximate net worth of Rs. 6300 crores, Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as King Khan, has experienced his fair share of setbacks in his career. However, that hasn't hindered him from delivering two consecutive blockbusters in 2023, "Jawan" and "Pathaan," both surpassing Rs. 2000 crores worldwide. His latest release, "Dunki," continues to rake in significant earnings, showcasing his enduring star power. Shah Rukh Khan has painstakingly built his career, consistently shattering records and solidifying his status as the highest-paid Bollywood star.

2. Rajinikanth

With an approximate net worth of Rs. 430 crore, Rajinikanth stands as the highest-paid actor in South India. Revered almost like a living deity in Southern India and beyond, his mere presence in a film draws enthusiastic crowds. he has predominantly worked in Tamil cinema. Rajinikanth's latest outing, "Jailer," an action comedy, proved to be a box office hit, for which he commanded a fee of Rs. 110 crores.

3. Joseph Vijay

Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, ranks among the highest-paid actors in South India with an approximate net worth of Rs. 474 crores. His career, which began at the age of 10 in 1984 as a child artist in the movie "Vetri," spans over two decades. Vijay stands as one of the most reliable performers in the South Indian film industry. Among his 2023 releases are "Varisu," which raked in around Rs. 300 crore worldwide, and "Leo," grossing over Rs. 612 crore globally. Remarkably, "Leo" emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023.

4. Prabhas

Prabhas soared to true stardom following the release of SS Rajamouli’s historic Baahubali duology, leading to a remarkable 94 per cent surge in the actor’s net worth over the past eight years. Despite the controversial reception of his film Adipurush, his latest venture Salaar has achieved considerable success, boasting a domestic net collection of Rs369.37 crore. This surpasses Rajinikanth’s Jailer, which stands at a net of Rs348.55 crore, firmly establishing Prabhas's enduring influence in the industry.

5. Aamir Khan

Renowned for his meticulous approach to film roles, Aamir Khan has garnered a dedicated fan base, earning him the moniker ‘Mr. Perfectionist’ for his unwavering commitment to excellence. While his recent release, Laal Singh Chaddha in 2022, didn't achieve significant success, his upcoming project, Sitaare Zameen Par, slated for a 2024 holiday season release, continues his tradition of delivering fan-favorite hits like Dangal, PK, and 3 Idiots. This consistent track record has contributed to Khan's substantial net worth, currently estimated at Rs1862 crore.

6. Salman Khan

With a substantial fan base, Salman Khan has transitioned from the romantic roles of the 1990s to the endearing 'bhai' of recent times. His cinematic evolution has propelled him to become one of the highest-paid Indian actors. Notably, his latest blockbuster, Tiger 3, has amassed over Rs466.63 crore worldwide, contributing to Khan's estimated net worth of Rs2900 crore.

7. Kamal Kaasan

Kamal Hassan, a prominent figure from South India, boasts an impressive filmography of around 220 movies across multiple languages. Despite no releases in 2023, fans are eagerly awaiting his collaboration with director Mani Ratnam for KH 234, contributing to his estimated net worth of approximately Rs150 crore.

8. Allu Arjun

Arjun gained nationwide recognition for his lead role in Pushpa: The Rise, a highly acclaimed Telugu film released in 2021. With an estimated net worth of approximately Rs350 crore, his upcoming film is anticipated to break box office records with the sequel of Pushpa, slated for release in 2024.

9. Akshay Kumar

Known for his impeccable comic timing in films like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay Kumar has also taken on roles in socially relevant movies such as Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Padman. Despite no major hits in 2023, his guest appearance in OMG 2 contributed to its global earnings of approximately Rs 221 crore. With an estimated net worth of around Rs2500 crore, Kumar continues to leave his mark on Bollywood.

10. Ajith Kumar

Kumar, another prominent South Indian actor among the highest-paid, garnered praise for his role in the 2023 film Thunivu, captivating audiences with his performance. The movie raked in a total of Rs130 crores in the Indian market. With an estimated net worth of around Rs196 crore, Kumar continues to make waves in the industry.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is Shah Rukh Khan's approximate net worth, and what recent successes has he had?
Shah Rukh Khan's approximate net worth is Rs. 6300 crores. He delivered two consecutive blockbusters in 2023, "Jawan" and "Pathaan," both surpassing Rs. 2000 crores worldwide. His latest release, "Dunki," continues to rake in significant earnings.

2. Who is Rajinikanth, and why is he revered in Southern India?
Rajinikanth is a highly revered actor, almost considered a living deity in Southern India. He has predominantly worked in Tamil cinema and commands enthusiastic crowds due to his iconic status.

3. What are some notable films in Joseph Vijay's career, and how successful have they been?
Joseph Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, has had a prolific career spanning over two decades. Notable films include "Varisu," which grossed around Rs. 300 crore worldwide, and "Leo," which grossed over Rs. 612 crore globally, emerging as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023.

4. How did Prabhas achieve stardom, and what recent successes has he had?
Prabhas gained stardom following the success of SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali duology. Despite mixed reception for his film Adipurush, his recent venture Salaar achieved considerable success, boasting a domestic net collection of Rs369.37 crore.

5. What is Aamir Khan's reputation in the film industry, and what upcoming project is he involved in?
Aamir Khan is renowned for his meticulous approach to film roles, earning him the moniker ‘Mr. Perfectionist’. His upcoming project, "Sitaare Zameen Par," slated for a 2024 release, continues his tradition of delivering fan-favorite hits like Dangal, PK, and 3 Idiots.

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