Top 10 Highest Paid Malayalam Actresses in 2025: Nayanthara to Nazriya Nazim

Mollywood, the Malayalam film industry, is famous for its gripping stories and great acting. With the rise of the remuneration structure of the leading ladies of the industry, these actresses captivated audiences with their talent and laughed all the way to the bank. From the iconic to the wannabe, these actresses have forged new territory for themselves, thus symbolizing the changing dynamics of the industry.

They are indeed the soul of Mollywood because of their ability to do both commercial and content-oriented films. Manju Warrier, Nayantara, and Parvathy Thiruvothu, who have very high remuneration rates in Mollywood, have brought their concept of stardom into the arena of South Indian cinema; with this, they have redistributed all their talents among multifaceted genres and cultures of acting and set benchmarks for remuneration. Their pathway denotes the empowerment of female presence in Indian cinema, representing the evolution of women as artists and icons of empowerment.

1. Nayanthara

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹7 to ₹10 crore

In the film industries of Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu, Nayanthara has earned a place as a solid actor. Her debut film, Manassinakkare (2003), was her opening camera experience, and later she became even more popular with hits from films such as Ayya (2005) in Tamil and Lakshmi (2006) in Telugu.

Over her two-decade career, she has worked in more than 75 films, won many awards, including the SIIMA and Filmfare Awards, and for Puthiya Niyamam (2016) received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in Malayalam. She is among the richest-paid actresses in the Malayalam movie industry; per film, she charges around ₹7-₹10 crores.

2. Keerthy Suresh

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹2 crore to ₹4 crore

Keerthy Suresh holds an eminent position in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil cinema today. She entered the industry as a child artist and later made her main debut in Geethaanjali in 2013, winning the SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut – Malayalam. She is the daughter of producer G. Suresh Kumar and actress Menaka.

The films that really defined her as a household name are Nenu Sailaja (2016), Rajinimurugan (2016), Mahanati (2018), and Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022). Keerthy is still much sought after in Indian films, having also won some SIIMA and Filmfare Awards, besides a National Film Award. Her pre-film fees are anywhere around ₹2 crore to ₹4 crore.

3. Nazriya Nazim

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore

Nazriya Nazim is a well-paid actress in the Malayalam film industry, earning between ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore per film. After her success in Maad Dad (2013), she has continued to be a prominent contributor to Tamil and Malayalam cinema.

She has gone on to win a Kerala State Film Award for her performances in Neram (2013), Raja Rani (2013), and Ohm Shanthi Oshaana (2014). With Koode (2018) marking her return, Ante Sundaraniki (2022) was her first entry into the Telugu filmmaking industry.

4. Anupama Parameswaran

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹60 lakh to ₹2 crore

Anupama Parameswaran, a Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam actress, ranks among the highest-paid actresses in the Malayalam industry. She gained prominence acting opposite Nivin Pauly in the 2015 offering Premam, a wonderful debut for the actress.

Since then, she has been proven to try every genre, becoming famous for her sweet and innocent persona on screen. In 2024, she solidified her title as one of the most-demand actresses with Tillu Square, the sequel to DJ Tillu, where she played a lead role opposite Siddhu Jonnalagadda.

5. Manju Warrier

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹50 lakh to ₹1.5 crore

Debuted with Sakshyam (1995), Manju Warrier shot to stardom with rapid success in films such as Thooval Kottaram (1996), Sallapam (1996), and Aaraam Thampuran (1997). Manju charges between ₹50 lakh and ₹1.5 crore for each film.

After spending some time away from the industry following her marriage in 1998, she suddenly returned to the business with such power in How Old Are You? (2014), that she might be included as one of the best actresses in the industry. This is a person who has had a very long career spanning decades and is still a very prominent figure.

6. Nithya Menon

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore

Having worked on films between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore per film, Nithya Menen is one of the highest paid actresses of Malayalam cinema. Apart from Malayalam films, the actress has also worked for Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. She is often considered a versatile actress along with her great performances.

Nithya now began her first stint in films being a child artist, but she became popular after appearing in Ala Modalaindi (2011), for which she received a Nandi Award. Nithya later went on to do some of the best performances in films like Janatha Garage (2016), Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015), Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde (2013), and Ishq (2012). She has won many awards, including a National Film Award.

7. Mamitha Baiju

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore

One of Malayalam cinema’s emerging stars, Mamitha Baiju, earns between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore for each film. She made her debut with Sarvopari Palakkaran (2017) and has since become well-known for movies such as Super Sharanya (2022), Kho Kho (2021), and Operation Java (2021).

With Premalu (2024), one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films ever made, she actually made her debut. Mamitha is making a name for herself as a top actress in the industry due to her increasing popularity.

8. Amala Paul

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore

Amala Paul: A South Indian cinema star who earns from ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore per film. She entered the film industry with Neelathamara (2009), but it was Mynaa (2010) with which she gained international recognition and won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

For her performances in critically acclaimed films such as Run Baby Run (2012) and Oru Indian Pranayakadha (2013), she received SIIMA Awards. Some of her most famous movies are The Goat Life (2024), Ratsasan (2018), and Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014).

9. Priyamani

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore

Priyamani stands out as one of the well-known artists in the South Indian film industry, earning approximately ₹40 lakhs to ₹1 crore per film. She had touched the hearts of many with her performance in Paruthiveeran (2007), which ultimately fetched her a National Award, thus making her a household name.

Her films Thirakkatha (2008), Raavanan (2010), and Pranchiyettan & the Saint (2010) dazzled the audience. Her notable work includes Jawan (2023), Article 370 (2024), and Chaarulatha (2012), which also put her name outside of Kerala in other geographical categories.

10. Kalyani Priyadarshan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore

Kalyani Priyadarshan, an emerging star of South Indian cinema, charges between ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore per film. She worked behind the scenes before making her acting debut in Hello (2017), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut-South. She is the daughter of actress Lissy and filmmaker Priyadarshan.

She made it big in Malayalam cinema with Varane Avashyamund (2020), which was followed by her win of the SIIMA Award for Best Actress for Hridayam (2022), along with Thallumaala (2022) and Bro Daddy (2022).