Not Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan but this actor is Tamil Cinema’s highest-paid star

Who is the highest paid tamil actor

Overtaking legends Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, Thalapathy Vijay has set new limits in Tamil cinema as he has recently become the highest-paid actor.

Some recent reports suggest Vijay has set a new record and now charges ₹200 crores for his movies, firmly placing him as the most financially successful actor in Kollywood.

A detailed article by India Today (May 2023) confirms that Vijay's salary for Leo was approximately ₹200 crore, making him the most expensive star in the Tamil film industry.

This is a big change in the dynamics of Tamil cinema, where Rajinikanth was the most expensive star for decades. The same report places Rajinikanth's pay at between ₹100 to ₹150 crore per film, depending on the size and production.

Further validating this pattern, the wealthiest Tamil actor named Vijay is not only the top-paid actor but also among the richest due to his consistent box-office hits, brand equity, and discerning filmography.

Although Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, and Suriya are known stars with a legacy of their own, it is Vijay’s broad appeal, coupled with his versatile strategy, that places him so uniquely within the industry’s economic framework.

Rajinikanth, regularly referred to as the "Superstar" of Indian cinema, is still a bankable name and continues to attract huge box office figures.

Unlike earlier times, the industries are adapting the new profit-sharing structure along with the digital rights agreements, and this is benefiting stars like Thalapathy Vijay to capitalize on their positions in the film industry.

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This new change in the way the actor's remunerations are given has a parallel effect on the rising prominence of Kollywood, which has seen a new wave of Pan-Indian releases and new international streaming deals.

The changing commercial environment has enabled leading actors to demand unprecedented rates, in line with trends in Bollywood and even international cinema.

Even though Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are still icons and dominate Tamil cinema, it is Thalapathy Vijay who currently dominates the industry in terms of pay, marking a new era in Kollywood's star economy.