For years, Bollywood’s top actors have made headlines with their substantial paychecks, but the compensation for actresses has often remained less discussed. A recent report sheds light on the earnings of female stars, revealing significant figures and highlighting the pay disparity between male and female leads in the industry.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Deepika Padukone, the country’s highest-paid actress, commands a fee of approximately ₹15-20 crore per film. Deepika, who is currently on maternity leave following her role in Nag Ashwin’s “Kalki 2898 AD,” remains a leading figure in Bollywood’s top earners list.
Alia Bhatt, another major star, ranks second with her fee set at ₹15 crore per film. Alia’s recent projects include “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” and “Heart of Stone” alongside Gal Gadot. She is anticipated to appear in upcoming films such as “Jigra,” the YRF spy universe film “Alpha,” and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s highly awaited “Love And War” featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
Katrina Kaif and Shraddha Kapoor are next on the list. Katrina earns between ₹8-10 crore per film, a figure that sometimes exceeds the salary of her male co-stars in films like “Phone Bhoot” and “Merry Christmas,” where she shared screen space with Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi.
Other notable actresses include Kriti Sanon, Kiara Advani, Kangana Ranaut, and Taapsee Pannu, who typically earn between ₹5 and 8 crore per film. Kriti Sanon, who has gained significant attention for her performances in “Mimi” and “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,” is seeing her fees rise due to her recent success. Kiara Advani is considered a “lucky charm” in Bollywood, with her fees increasing due to her consistent success at the box office. Taapsee Pannu and Kangana Ranaut, both critically acclaimed for their leading roles, maintain their positions within this pay range.
It is important to note that actresses’ salaries are not fixed and can vary based on numerous factors. In mainstream films with large star casts, actresses might accept lower fees compared to solo-led projects where they take on more responsibility. As explained by a film producer, “In a female-centric film with a lower production budget of ₹20-25 crores, the actress might be paid ₹5 to 7 crores. For larger mainstream films with a male lead, her fee might be lower due to the bigger budget and larger cast.”
This new information underscores the evolving landscape of Bollywood salaries and the ongoing conversation about gender pay disparity within the industry.