Top 10 Highest Paid Telugu Actors in 2025: ‘Pushpa’ Star Allu Arjun to ‘Baahubali’ Star Prabhas

The Telugu film industry, commonly known as Tollywood, has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. The flip side was that it was the exploding popularity of Baahubali and Pushpa, which not only had their local audiences applauding but also gained immense acceptance from all over India. It, therefore, resulted in a highly-demanded Telugu actor, thus charging huge fees.

Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, and, to some extent, Ram Charan are outright pan-Indian stars whose fees suggest their deep popularity, and that of the industry at large. The economic calculus in Tollywood has been so disturbed by this change that nowadays the stars’ remuneration is being compared to their Bollywood counterparts.

It is all happening due to the increasing pull of the industry in the pan-Indian market, wherein films are produced with budgets competing with those of major Bollywood productions. That brings a new light to the growing economic and cultural influence of Tollywood cinema on Indian cinema.

1. Allu Arjun

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹300 crore

One of India’s highest-paid actors, with an incredible charge of ₹300 crores for Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024), Allu Arjun is renowned for his electrifying screen presence and extraordinary dancing skills, and has received many accolades, including a National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards, and three Nandi Awards. 

His real breakthrough came through Arya (2004), soon followed by hits like Bunny (2005), Desamuduru (2007), and Parugu (2008). But it was with the Pushpa franchise that Allu Arjun became a pan-Indian star, having acquired that status with Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and the much-awaited sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024), thus assuring his exit from the elite class of the industry.

2. Prabhas

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore

Prabhas, charging about ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore per film, is one of Telugu cinema’s highest-paid actors. He is one of the biggest stars in Telugu cinema, emerging with Varsham (2004) and enjoying the success of Chatrapathi (2005), Darling (2010), and Mirchi (2013), which eventually won him the Nandi Award for Best Actor.

It really shot up with Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), which went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film ever and cemented his place as India’s first pan-Indian star. After a bit of a slip, he bounced back with Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023) and Kalki 2898 AD (2024), two important upcoming works by big filmmakers. He is called the “Rebel Star,” and since 2015, life has been complete with a place on the list of Forbes India Celebrity 100.

3. Ram Charan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹90 crore to ₹100 crore

Ram Charan, one of the highest-paid actors in the Telugu film industry, charges ₹90-100 crore per film, depending on the storyline. Due to his acting and dancing skills, he has been consistently featured on the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list since 2013. 

With several distinctions, considering his four Filmfare Awards and two Nandi Awards, he has concretized his position as a superstar. Besides being an actor, he is a film producer and an entrepreneur, which increases his sway in the industry.

4. Mahesh Babu

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹80 crore to ₹100 crore

Known as the “Superstar,” Mahesh Babu is still ranking in Forbes India Celebrity 100 since its first issuance in 2012. His film charges range anywhere between ₹80 crore to ₹100 crore. 

Spanning more than 25 films, the actor has several awards in his kitty, including nine Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Telugu Awards. Besides this, he also has his own production house called G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment, which compounds the actor’s aura in the industry even further.

5. Pawan Kalyan

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹60 crore to ₹100 crore

Pawan Kalyan, the name itself is a powerhouse in Telugu movies, commanding approximately between ₹60 crore to ₹100 crore. Unique in his patterns and possessing a huge following, he has managed to remain in the list of Forbes India throughout as one of the Celebrity 100 since 2012.

Besides acting, he shares political interests as the present-day Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and leads the Janasena Party. He has brought a Filmfare Award and a SIIMA Award to his name while making an impact both on and off the screen.

6. Jr. NTR

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹45 crore to ₹75 crore

Jr. NTR, popularly addressed as the Man of Masses, apparently charges between ₹45 crore and ₹75 crore per movie. He is an indomitable presence in Telugu cinema and has been gracing the Forbes India Celebrity 100 since 2012.

Now, after having completed thirty movies, he has acquired awards such as three Filmfare Awards South and two Nandi Awards. He is also a producer and television presenter, therefore helping to maintain the presence of his name in the state.

7. Chiranjeevi

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹40 crore to ₹70 crore

Chiranjeevi, popularly known as the ‘Mega Star’, happens to be one of the greatest influences and the highest-paid actors in South Indian cinema, charging between ₹40 crores to ₹70 crores per film, while his net worth happens to be approximately ₹1650 crores. With more than two decades in the industry, he has by far the highest number of ‘Industry Hits’ in Telugu cinema and is recognized as one of the best dancers in Indian cinema.

His honours comprise the Padma Bhushan (2006), Padma Vibhushan (2024), and IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award (2022), besides three Nandi Awards and nine Filmfare Awards South. He was one of the ‘men who changed the face of Indian cinema’, acknowledged by CNN-IBN. In 2024, he also received a Guinness World Record as the most prolific actor-dancer in Indian cinema.

8. Vijay Deverakonda

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹27 crore to ₹45 crore

Vijay Deverakonda, commanding a fee of ₹27 crore to ₹45 crore per film, is one of the top earners in Telugu cinema. Featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2018.

He has won a Filmfare Award, a Nandi Award, and three SIIMA Awards. Known for his charismatic screen presence, he has also ventured into film production, further solidifying his influence in the industry.

9. Nandamuri Balakrishna

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹30 crore

Nandamuri Balakrishna, popularly known as Balayya or NBK, has a cost of ₹30 crores per movie. This versatile actor has made a mark as one of the mainstream Telugu film stars, but also happens to be a politician and an MLA since 2014.

Acting first began as a child actor and has won three Nandi Awards, three SIIMA Awards, and one IIFA Award. He is known to be the son of the great actor N. T. Rama Rao. On account of his works for the benefit of society and cinema, he received the Padma Bhushan in 2025. His dedication is not merely to the movies; he also serves as the Chairman of the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital.

10. Ravi Teja

Remuneration Per Movie: ₹25 crore to ₹30 crore

One of the highest-paid actors in Telugu cinema, Ravi Teja, commonly referred to as “Mass Maharaja,” charges between ₹25 crore and ₹30 crore per film. His high-energy performances in action comedies have become synonymous with his name.

He has three Nandi Awards and a Filmfare Award South to his credit; he has also shone brightly in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list several times. By his unique and mass styles, he continues to be a force in the industry.

List of Highest Paid Telugu Actors

Also See