Live
- Rekha gets emotional as she shares a heartfelt moment with Big B's grandson Agastya Nanda
- Senior Cong leader EVKS Elangovan passes away in Chennai
- CID's Counter Intelligence raids multiple places in J&K’s Anantnag, Kulgam districts
- India's growth on resilient trajectory, equity markets in consolidation phase
- KJo on 23 years of ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’: One of those pinch me moments
- WPL 2025 auction: Nandini, Kamalini set to be most sought-after names
- MP CM to inaugurate Sarsi resort in Shahdol, 200-bed hospital in Mauganj today
- TGPSC makes arrangements for Group-2 exams to be held tomorrow
- WPL 2025 Auction: When and where to watch, date, time, live streaming, venue
- Japan: Citizens protest US military-related sexual violence
Nayantara, Anushka eclipse Gen Y stars
Undeniably, the 30-plus actresses Anuskha and Nayantara have become highest paid heroines in the T-town and are giving young heroines a run for their money.
MONEYWISE
- The 30-plus glam divas Anuskha and Nayantara are reportedly pocketing Rs 2 to 2.5 crore remuneration for each film
- Young and crazy stars like Shruti Haasan, Samanta, Kaajal, Tamannah and Rakul Preet Singh are taking home only between Rs 1 and 1.25 crore per film
Hyderabad: Undeniably, the 30-plus actresses Anuskha and Nayantara have become highest paid heroines in the T-town and are giving young heroines a run for their money. Even though Gen Y pretty damsels Shruti Haasan, Samanta, Kaajal, Tamannah and Rakul Preet Singh are the craziest stars with a huge fan following and most of the superstars like to share screen space with them, when it comes to ’remuneration’ Anuskha and Nayantara beat them hands down by pocketing Rs 2 to 2.5 crore per film.
According to industry sources, Anushka was reportedly paid Rs 2.5 crore for her next period drama “Bhagmati”, followed by Nayantara who was reportedly paid Rs 2 crore for “Babu Bangaram” opposite Venkatesh. “These two stars could be ahead of other heroines since they have build a brand of their own. Along with their growing age, their popularity as crowd pullers has come to their advantage as Anushka and Nayantara pulled off women-centric horror flicks “Arundati” and “Mayuri” respectively.
“Also their popularity has grown beyond T-town to Tamil and Malayalam industries, so producers don’t mind paying them big sums,” says director Devi Prasad, who recalls similar charisma for actress Vijayashanti in her hey days. While 20 to 25 something and much-sought-after actresses from Shruti Haasan to Samanta, Kaajal to Tamannah and Rakul Preet Singh are reportedly drawing a salary of Rs 1 to Rs 1.25 crore per film, other actresses like Regina, Rashi Khanna and Sonal Chouhan are pegged at Rs 30 to 40 lakh.
Despite superstars like Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, NTR and Allu Arjun willing to share screen space with younger heroines, they are not willing to pay them big sums. “Surely superstars will share space with these young and crazy heroines but it is mostly for a hotshot onscreen presence and to add glam quotient to their films, since most of Telugu films are hero-driven films, with little scope for heroines to showcase their acting talent.
Until they venture out to do a female-centric and pull off a film single-handedly, these actresses have to be content with lesser pay cheques in comparison,” says director Siddharth. However, producer Giridhar, who is producing Trisha’s maiden film-centric film “Nayaki”, feels that seasoned actresses can only pull off heroine-driven films.
“After Anushka and Nayantara, Trisha is the only other actress with a stature and charisma to draw huge crowds on the strength of her name. Trisha has become a brand of sorts after working hard for 10 years, so buyers are keen to buy our spooky film,” he says and adds “but we can’t risk a female-centric film on a young heroine, may be that’s the difference reflecting in their pay cheques,” he concludes.
By BVS Prakash
