Top 10 Highest Paid Tamil Actors in 2025: Vijay to Rajinikanth

The Kollywood film industry, the Tamil variant of movie-making, is closely associated with certain actors and actresses who have attained national and/or international fame and fortune. Unique storyline creations, heterogeneous native culture, and a worldwide following define this powerful industry.

Leaving aside Tamil films, actors who have primarily acted in Tamil movies and have a high remunerative capacity exert a heavyweight influence on Bollywood and the Kannada industries, and are certainly instrumental in some of the decisions made in the Battles of Kollywood. One of the highest-paid, Thalapathy Vijay, has been in the Tamil film industry for more than 40 years.

In this day and age, the continued charm and high stakes of Tamil cinema are manifested in the earnings of these well-known stars such as Ajith Kumar and Kamal Haasan, who also command major positions on this list. These movie stars are setting pay standards in the industry as it develops because of their potential to lure large audiences into theaters and produce cinematic experiences that mesmerize their fans.

1. Joseph Vijay

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹130 crore to ₹275 crore

Joseph Vijay, or popularly known as Thalapathy, rings one of the highest in pay and profit in Tamil cinema, where he makes between ₹130 crores and ₹275 crores per film. His worth is estimated to be in the range of ₹450 crores to ₹600 crores, having acted in 68 films over three decades, many of which have been among Tamil cinema’s top-grossing enterprises.

Vijay was born to director S. A. Chandrasekhar and began his film career in the early 1990s with Naalaiya Theerpu (1992), coming off the role of a child actor, starting with Vetri (1984). The big ones that created his fame include Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Master (2021), Leo (2023), and Greatest of All Time (2024).

2. Rajinikanth

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹125 crore to ₹270 crore

One of the highest-paid Tamil actors in the country, Rajinikanth earns around ₹125 crore to ₹270 crore for his movies. He boasts of over fifty years and 170 films in many languages under his belt and is revered as one of the greatest icons of Indian cinema.

If he is recognized for his signature styles and powerful presence on the silver screen, he has a fan following that no one can match. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), and also the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019. He won many more awards, including seven Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and one Filmfare Award.

3. Ajith Kumar

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹105 crore to ₹165 crore

Ajith Kumar is one of the highest-paid actors in South India, charging between ₹105 crore to as much as ₹165 crore per film, and he has a net worth of ₹350 crore. Coming from a career spanning more than sixty-one films, he has been a serial winner of many awards, including three Filmfare Awards South and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Ajith does not only act; he is also a passionate driver who participates in the MRF Racing series and the Formula championships. Even in his off-screen life, he has been able to garner the right measure of popularity, earning him a few spots in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list over the years.

4. Kamal Haasan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹100 crore to ₹150 crore

A legendary figure in the Indian film industry, he has worked in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam films. His charges range between ₹100 crore and ₹150 crore per film, and he proudly claims a net worth of ₹450 crore.

Known for breaking every barrier of cinema, Haasan has won four National Film Awards, nine Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and numerous Filmfare Awards. The honours also include the esteemed Padma Shri (1990), the Padma Bhushan in 2014, and the title of Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters, conferred on him in 2016.

5. Suriya

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹39 crore to ₹60 crore

Suriya is one of those actors in Tamil cinema who makes somewhere between ₹39 crore to ₹60 crores per film. Recently, he reportedly was paid a salary of ₹39 crores for Kanguva.

Both one of the most versatile and powerful performers, he also owns two National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards South, and five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Besides making his presence felt in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list on multiple occasions, the actor continues to be the force to reckon with in Tamil cinema, as an actor and producer.

6. Dhanush

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹20 crore to ₹50 crore

A near Rs 20 crore to Rs 50 crore is paid as per each film to Dhanush, one among
the highest-paid actors in Tamil cinema. The career journey in filmdom has seen him appear in more than 50 films and win four National Film Awards, eight Filmfare Awards South, and fourteen SIIMA Awards. In addition, he is a filmmaker, lyricist, and playback singer. He has made several appearances in the Forbes India list of celebrity 100, thus marking his impact upon Indian cinema.

7. Sivakarthikeyan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹20 crore to ₹35 crore

Sivakarthikeyan SK is one of the few actors to have earned fame as a versatile actor, playback singer, and producer in Tamil cinema. He is one of the most well-paid stars in the industry, with a remuneration of ₹20 crore to ₹35 crore per film.

He was honored with the Kalaimamani Award in 2021 and has given several box-office hits, including Amaran (2024), which has become the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of the year. His connection with the audience has proved his status as a place in the industry.

8. Vikram

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹20 crore to ₹30 crore

Well-known actor Vikram charges a fee per film that varies around ₹20 to ₹30 crore. The first Indian to win the best actor award at the prestigious Cannes, Vikram has won numerous Filmfare Awards South and a National Film Award for his commitment, hard work, and versatility.

His biggest box office successes in recent years are I (2015) and Ponniyin Selvan (2022 and 2023). He was reportedly compensated ₹25 crores in 2024 for his work in the film Thalapathy 67’s prequel, Thangalaan. Vikram has maintained his status over thirty years after entering the industry.

9. Karthi

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹15 crore to ₹35 crore

One of the best-paid actors in the Tamil industry, Karthi earns between 15 to 35 crores for every movie. He is the son of legendary actor Sivakumar and the younger brother of Suriya. His successful performance was in the movie Paruthiveeran, which was released in 2007.

He has sung many notable film songs, including Siruthai (2011), Paiyaa (2010), and Naan Mahaan Alla (2010). The actress now continues tobe afocal point with her crowds and consistent box office performance.

10. Vijay Sethupathi

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹15 crore to ₹21 crore

Incredibly versatile and naturalistic, Vijay Sethupathi commands a fee of up to ₹15-21 crore for each film. He initially had small roles, and it was with Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010) that he gained fame for his breakout role in Sundarapandian, which rose sharply to prominence in 2012 with hits such as Pizza and Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom.

Acclaimed for a National Film Award, 2 Filmfare Awards South, and 2 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, he remains one of the top bankable stars of Tamil cinema.