For years, heroines have been paid significantly less than their male counterparts, sparking ongoing debates about pay disparity in cinema.
However, the landscape is gradually shifting, with leading South Indian actresses now commanding impressive salaries, proving their star power at the box office.
Here’s a look at the top-earning actresses in South Indian cinema:
Trisha
With a career spanning over two decades, Trisha earns between ₹4 to ₹10 crore per film. She was recently seen in Vidaamuyarchi alongside Ajith Kumar and is reportedly earning ₹4 crore for her Telugu comeback in Vishwambhara.
Nayanthara
The Lady Superstar of Kollywood, Nayanthara, charges between ₹8 to ₹10 crore per film. She was last seen in the Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale.
Samantha
A leading name in Telugu and Tamil cinema, Samantha commands ₹3 to ₹8 crore per project. She was last seen in Citadel: Honey Bunny and reportedly earned ₹5 crore for Pushpa.
Rashmika Mandanna
Dubbed the National Crush, Rashmika Mandanna charges approximately ₹4 to ₹6 crore per film. She was last seen in Chhaava.
Sai Pallavi
Renowned for her natural performances and dance skills, Sai Pallavi reportedly earns ₹5 crore per film. She will portray Goddess Sita in Ramayana and received the same amount for Thandel.
Anushka Shetty
One of the most experienced actresses in the industry, Anushka Shetty charges ₹5 to ₹7 crore per film. She will be seen next in Ghaati.
Pooja Hegde
A prominent face in South Indian cinema, Pooja Hegde earns ₹4 to ₹5 crore per film. She was last seen in Deeva and will next appear in Retro as the lead, along with a special song in Rajinikanth’s Coolie.
Keerthy Suresh
Charging ₹3 to ₹4 crore per film, Keerthy Suresh remains one of the highest-paid actresses in the South. She will soon be seen in the Netflix series Akka.
Mrunal Thakur
After gaining fame with Sita Ramam, Mrunal Thakur now earns ₹3 to ₹5 crore per film. She is starring in the Telugu film Dacoit and reportedly charged ₹3 crore for the role.
Tamannaah Bhatia
Tamannaah Bhatia is among the highest-paid South Indian actresses, with a remuneration of ₹4 to ₹5 crore per film. Her last appearance was in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar.
Kajal Aggarwal
Kajal Aggarwal reportedly earns ₹2.5 to ₹4 crore per film. She will be seen next in Kannappa.
With these massive paychecks, South Indian actresses continue to prove their dominance in the film industry, bridging the gender pay gap one film at a time!
