Top 10 Highest Paid South Indian Actors in 2025: South Indian Top Earners Celebrities

The South Indian film industry, often referred to as the backbone of Indian cinema, has witnessed a remarkable surge in popularity and financial success over the past few years. This growth is largely attributed to the immense talent and dedication of its actors, who have not only captivated local audiences but have also gained international recognition.

Among these stars, a select few have emerged as the highest-paid actors in the industry, commanding staggering sums for their roles in blockbuster films. Allu Arjun, for instance, has been named the highest-paid actor in India, surpassing even Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. This shift in the financial landscape highlights the increasing influence and profitability of South Indian cinema on a national scale.

South Indian actors like Thalapathy Vijay and Prabhas have consistently ranked among the highest-paid stars in India. Other notable figures include Rajinikanth and Ajith Kumar, who continue to command significant earnings despite their long-standing careers. The success of these actors underscores the evolving dynamics of the Indian film industry, where regional stars are increasingly dominating the national scene. Their ability to deliver high-grossing films and maintain a strong fan base has catapulted them to the forefront of Indian cinema, redefining the benchmarks for success and earnings in the entertainment sector.

1. Allu Arjun

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹300 crore

Net Worth: ₹460 crore

The most expensive actor in Indian cinema, Allu Arjun, has a charge of ₹300 crore per film and a total net worth of ₹460 crore. His acting career began in Gangotri (2003) and became a star in Arya (2004), for which he received a special Nandi Award from the jury. His stardom was further amplified by Bunny (2005), Desamuduru (2007), and Parugu (2008), with which he received his first Filmfare Award.

However, the big ticket was Pushpa for him-the two-part saga launched with Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and continuing with its follow-up, by which Pushpa: The Rule (2024) would be one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever made. Listing him in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list since 2014, this well-acknowledged and recognized person has also won a National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards, and three Nandi Awards to his name. Called with the title of Stylish Star and Icon Star, Allu Arjun also has a reputation for his outstanding dance talent.

2. Joseph Vijay

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹130 crore to ₹275 crore

Net Worth: ₹450 crore – ₹600 crore

Joseph Vijay, popularly known as ‘Thalapathy’, is one of the highest-grossing or most commercially successful actors in Tamil film history, charging from ₹130 crore to ₹275 crore per film. Net worth estimated at ₹450 crore – ₹600 crore, Vijay has made an appearance in 68 films over three decades, of which many are regarded as the highest grossers in Tamil films.

The son of director S. A. Chandrasekhar, Vijay made his debut as a child artist in Vetri and scored his first leading role in Naalaiya Theerpu. His stardom increased when Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Master (2021), Leo (2023), and the Greatest Of All Time (2024) were released.

3. Rajinikanth

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹125 crore to ₹270 crore

Net Worth: ₹430 crore

Regarded as one of the most legendary actors in Indian cinema, also the highest salary earned per film ₹125 crore to ₹270 crore, Rajinikanth has a current estimated net worth of ₹430 crores. With more than five decades in the industry and around 170 films in multiple languages, he is often characterized by his unique style, charm, and mass appeal.

With the Padma Bhushan awarded in 2000, Padma Vibhushan in 2016, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019, he has immensely affected Indian cinema. He has also won numerous other awards, including seven state awards in Tamil Nadu, a Nandi award, and a Filmfare award.

4. Prabhas

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore

Net Worth: ₹241 crore

Prabhas is one of the highest paid South Indian actors charging an amount of ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore per film, with a net worth of ₹241 crore. He started his career in the year 2002 with Eeswar and came into the limelight gradually with Varsham in 2004. But the career-lifting films were Baahubali 1 and Baahubali 2 (2015-2017), making him the first true pan-Indian star of India.

“Rebel Star” Prabhas has delivered several successful box office hits such as Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023) and Kalki 2898 AD (2024). He is the only Indian actor with six films exceeding ₹100 crore worldwide and continues to be one of the most powerful forces in the industry. Moreover, Prabhas is the first-ever Indian actor to have a ₹1000-crore-grossing film worldwide.

5. Ajith Kumar

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹105 crore to ₹165 crore

Net Worth: ₹350 crore

With a fee of ₹105 crore to ₹165 crore per film, Ajith Kumar ranks as one of the most expensive actors in South Indian cinema. His net worth is around ₹350 crore. Ajith appeared in 61 films in his career, he has won multiple awards, including three Filmfare Awards South and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Beyond acting, Ajith is a passionate racing driver, having competed in the MRF Racing series and Formula championships. His influence extends beyond cinema, earning him a spot in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list multiple times.

6. Kamal Haasan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹100 crore to ₹150 crore

Net Worth: ₹450 crore ($70 million)

The illustrious Kamal Haasan has graced the cinema in India with his talents in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema, among others. Currently, he is reputed to be worth anything between ₹450 crores and ₹450 crores, charging around ₹100-₹150 crores per film.

Haasan has always been known as the man who dares to expand the limits of cinema and has been honored with multiple Filmfare awards, nine Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and four National Film Awards. Most importantly, he has received the honors of Chevalier Order of Arts and Letters (2016), Padma Bhushan (2014), and Padma Shri (1990).

7. Ram Charan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹90 crore to ₹100 crore

Net Worth: ₹1370 crore

Ram Charan is India’s richest actor and one of the best-paid South Indian stars with an estimated net worth of ₹ 1,370 crore. He charges between ₹90 and ₹100 crore each for a film. The actor debuted in a movie titled Chirutha in 2007, while he shot to fame with a Telugu super hit titled Magadheera in 2009.

His reputation as a pan-Indian star rose further with RRR (2022) — one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever — and Rangasthalam (2018). Charan has been consistently appearing on the list of Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 since 2013 and has been awarded several Filmfare and Nandi Awards.

8. Mahesh Babu

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹80 crore to ₹100 crore

Net Worth: ₹350 crore

A born artist and son of legendary actor Krishna, Mahesh Bush made his theatre debut as a child artist. Well-received in the films, Pokiri, Dookudu, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, and Srimanthudu, he gained much acclaim with the Nandi Award-winning Rajakumarudu awarded to him as his first major starring role in a film. Mahesh Babu owns the production company G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment and has an impressive number of Nandi, Filmfare, and SIIMA Awards to his credit.

Mahesh Babu is worth ₹350 crore and charges between ₹80 crore and ₹100 crore per film. Mahesh Babu has more than 25 films to his credit and has been included in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2012. The “Superstar” of Telugu cinema is referred to as.

9. Jr. NTR

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹45 crore to ₹75 crore

Net Worth: ₹500 crore

Jr. NTR is one of the highest-paid actors in South India with a net worth of ₹500 crore, charging approximately ₹45 crore to ₹75 crore per film. He is the grandson of the legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao and began acting as a child in films until he landed his first major role in Ninnu Choodalani (2001). He shot to fame after bursting onto the scene with Student No. 1 (2001) and Aadi (2002).

After one royal run in Telugu films, his fame escalated with one of the highest-grossing Indian films, RRR (2022), under the direction of S. S. Rajamouli. His might is maintained with Devara: Part 1 (2024). Dubbed the “Man of Masses,” he has been listed in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2012. He has won several awards, including two Nandi Awards and three Filmfare Awards South.

10. Chiranjeevi

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹40 crore to ₹70 crore

Net Worth: ₹1650 crore

Chiranjeevi, who is commonly referred to as the Mega Star, is one of the highest-paid performers in South Indian cinema, earning anywhere from ₹40 crore to ₹70 crore per film, with a net worth of ₹1650 crore. He is known as perhaps the finest dancer in Indian cinema and has an illustrious career spanning over three decades, during which he has contributed to the largest number of industry hits in Tollywood.

In addition to the three Nandi Awards and nine Filmfare Awards South, he also received the Padma Bhushan in 2006, Padma Vibhushan in 2024, and the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award in 2022. In 2024, he gained a Guinness World Record for being the all-time most successful actor-dancer in Indian cinema, with CNN-IBN calling him one of “the men who changed the face of Indian cinema.”