We were shocked when we learnt Akshay Kumar had charged Rs. 70 crore for Kambakkht Ishq. We knew it when Salman Khan demanded an exhorbitant fee for Wanted 2. We even reacted when Aishwarya Rai charged Rs. 6 crore for Heroine, which was shelved even before it was made.
But what about our actors down south? The prolific South Indian film industry, which inspires most of Bollywood's new films, has all the moolah it requires.....and more. So what of the actors--sorry, demi-Gods? How much do they earn per film?
Let's find out.
Money counts at the end of the day, even in the glamorous world of showbiz. While Bollywood is reeling under the news of Salman Khan hiking his fees to a reported Rs 50 crore per film, Tamil stars are raking in the big bucks as well.
So how much do Kollywood actors earn per film?
Let's find out.
The figures reported are approximate earnings according to information available in the public domain)
You can't speak of Tamil cinema without immediately thinking of the Thalaivar. Superstar Rajinkanth, with a global fan base, has acted in over 150 films. With films such as Mullum Malarum (1978), Thalapathi (1991) and the recent Endhiran/Robot to his name, Rajinikanth is in a league of his own at the box office.
Rajinikanth's name is the biggest assurance of a blockbuster for producers. Insiders say the Thalaivar nets a cool Rs 30 to 40 crore per film.
Even more prolific than Rajinikanth and no less respected, is one of Indian cinema's golden actors, Kamal Haasan.
Having worked in over 200 films in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and even Malayalam, Kamal Haasan has shown that rare type of proclivity, which has resulted in his massive career.
He has acted in several dozen big-budget ventures, a lot of which have been produced by his own production house, Rajkamal International.
Even films like Dasavatharam, which failed to make a mark at the box office, only raised the audience's expectations from him.
He holds the record for the most number of National Film Awards for an actor.
It also justifies why Kamal Haasan charges anywhere between Rs 7-10 crore per film.
Amongst the newer stars, Suriya, who acted in the Tamil Ghajini, charges around Rs 15-20 crore for each film. The actor is currently working on two ambitious projects in Kollywood – Murugadoss' 7 Aum Arivu and K V Anand's Maatran.
Tamil actor Vijay, star of the blockbusters such as Pokkiri and Kaavalan, reportedly earns between 13-14 crore for his films.
In addition to acting, Vijay, whose real name is Joseph Vijay Chandrashekhar, is also a part-time playback singer.
Despite being more of a veteran than both Suriya and Vijay, 45-year-old Vikram charges substantially less for his films.
For Mani Ratnam's Raavan, in which he made his Bollywood debut, he reportedly charged only Rs 8 crore. Trade reports say this popular actor usually charges Rs 10 crore per film.
Young actor Dhanush, married to Rajinikanth's elder daughter Aishwarya, keeps it relatively simple, charging an average of Rs 5 crore per film.
One of the only few actors to have made an indelible mark on the Hindi film industry, apart from rocking the numbers down South, is Alaipayuthey actor R. Madhavan.
Despite a record number of hits under his belt, Maddy, as he is fondly known, pockets Rs 1.25-2 crore per film.
Amongst the actresses, Goan beauty Ileana D'Cruz, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with the Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra starrer Barfee, reportedly earns Rs 1.5 crore per film.
However, to gain easier access to producers in B-town, it is said she has brought down her asking price considerably.
Glam doll Nayanthara, who is known for her sensual roles, checks in at number two, earning between Rs 70 lakh- 1 crore per project.
Southern siren Shriya Saran clocks in at a close third, with the Rs 60-80 lakh she charges.
Her asking price in Bollywood is even less, with reports indicating she was paid Rs 35 lakh for the Zayed Khan-Vivek Oberoi starrer, Mission Istanbul.
Pretty girl Trisha Krishnan, who was recently seen in Priyadarshan's Khatta Meetha, earns close to Rs 55 lakh for her films.
Relatively new in the industry, but already with a number of hits behind, Asin commands almost Rs 50 lakh per film.
In a change of proceedings, though, she commands a higher price up north, where she charges between Rs 1-1.5 crore for her films.
