In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema, actors have started setting new benchmarks with films grossing over Rs 500 crore and Rs 1000 crore. Alongside these staggering numbers, the fees charged by actors for their roles have also reached unprecedented heights.
A league of actors, including Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, and others, now command fees exceeding Rs 100 crore. However, delving into the history of this trend reveals that the first actor to charge Rs 100 crore for a film was none other than Bollywood’s charismatic superstar, Salman Khan.
Salman Khan’s journey from receiving a meager Rs 75 as his first pay to becoming one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood is nothing short of remarkable. In an interview with PTI, Salman reminisced about his initial foray into the entertainment industry, stating,
“My first salary was, I think, about Rs 75. I was dancing behind in some show in the Taj Hotel. One of my friends was dancing there, so he took me (and I did it) just for fun.”
From these humble beginnings, Salman’s earnings saw an incremental rise, reaching Rs 750 for a Campa Cola event and later settling at Rs 1,500 for an extended period. It was the film “Maine Pyar Kiya” that marked a significant turning point when Salman received Rs 31,000 for his role. This figure later increased to Rs 75,000.
Salman Khan first to Charge 100 Crore
However, the groundbreaking moment came in 2016 when Salman Khan became the first actor in the Indian film industry to charge a staggering Rs 100 crore for a film. The movie in question was “Sultan,” where Salman showcased his versatility by portraying a wrestler opposite Anushka Sharma.
Following the success of “Sultan,” Salman continued his association with Yash Raj Films (YRF) and negotiated a fee of Rs 130 crore for the 2017 blockbuster “Tiger Zinda Hai.” Notably, Salman Khan’s involvement with YRF also included a profit-sharing agreement, allowing him to receive 60 to 70 percent of the total profits generated by these films.
This landmark move by Salman Khan set a precedent, paving the way for other leading actors to demand fees in the Rs 100 crore range. Fellow superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan have since followed suit, commanding hefty sums for their roles.
Shah Rukh Khan, for instance, recently earned Rs 120 crore for his film “Pathaan,” while Aamir Khan reportedly charges between Rs 100-150 crores for his projects. Rajinikanth secured Rs 110 crore for his role in Nelson Dilipkumar’s “Jailer,” and Kamal Haasan is said to command Rs 150 crore per film.
This trend extends beyond Bollywood, encompassing actors like Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, and more, who now demand substantial remuneration for their contributions to the film industry. However, it was Salman Khan’s pioneering move that initiated the era of actors commanding Rs 100 crore per film, reshaping the dynamics of the Indian film industry.
While Salman Khan continues to make waves in Bollywood with successful ventures like “Tiger 3,” he is diversifying his portfolio with ventures like hosting the reality game show “Bigg Boss 17.” Looking ahead, Salman is set to collaborate with Karan Johar for “The Bull,” directed by Vishnu Vardhan, with shooting scheduled to commence in February 2024.