Top 5 Highest Paid South Indian Actors in 2025

South Indian films have seen an all-time box office boom with box office films shattering box office records and reaching production expenses to record heights. Due to the same, the leading stars are signing massive cheques, enjoying their pan-India fame and box office stardom. This is a glimpse of the top five Highest Paid South Indian Actors of 2025 and how they have progressed over time in terms of compensation.

5 Highest Paid South Indian Actors:

1. Allu Arjun – ₹300 Crore for Pushpa 2: The Rule
Allu Arjun is the most highly paid South Indian actor right now, and he is getting an impressive ₹300 crore for Pushpa 2: The Rule. His salary has increased exponentially since Pushpa: The Rise, when he earned ₹50 crore. The success of the film coupled with his rising popularity have made him one of the most reliable Indian stars.

2. Rajinikanth – ₹260–₹280 Crore for Coolie
Superstar Rajinikanth continues to haul in monstrous salaries, collecting ₹260–₹280 crore for his next film Coolie. His remuneration has increased by a gigantic figure from Jailer, where he is said to have collected ₹110–₹120 crore. Thanks to his constant popularity and box office draw, Rajinikanth continues to be an unstoppable giant of Tamil cinema.

3. Thalapathy Vijay – ₹250 Crore for Jana Nayagan
Thalapathy Vijay was never anything less than the top-paid star, asking for ₹250 crore for Jana Nayagan. His recent films, including Leo and The Greatest of All Time, have earned him ₹100–₹200 crore, which was a symbol of his reign in the industry.

4. Prabhas – ₹175 Crore Per Film
Prabhas, pan-India followers, charges a fee of ₹175 crore per film. His salary skyrocketed after Baahubali series when he charged ₹25 crore per film. His recent releases such as Kalki 2898 AD made him one among the most highly paid actors in Indian cinema.

5. Ajith Kumar – ₹160 Crore for Vidamuyarchi
Ajith Kumar completes the list with Vidamuyarchi for ₹160 crore salary. His salary has grown progressively from ₹50–₹100 crore from his earlier films, indicating his profitable fan base and consistent box office collections.

The rapid expansion of the South Indian film industry has seen its top stars pocketing record-high wages. With humongous budgets and global stardom, the stars continue to break the bar in remuneration. With South cinema growing, their paychecks will continue to go higher still, making them among India’s most sought-after entertainment celebrities.

ALSO READ: Meet the South Stars Earning Over Rs 100 Crore Per Film