South Indian industry has seen quite a lot of new faces in every passing year. The ones with a natural ability to act well have always managed to attract the fans at the best scene. It’s only because of the talent, actresses carved out a reputation for themselves as successful celebrities.
Let’s take a look at the highest-paid South Indian actress (at present)
#1. Anushka Shetty: Rs. 4 Crores/film
Anushka Shetty is one of the popular actresses in India. She made her debut in the year 2005. Giving utmost importance to Telugu and Tamil, she has acted in more than 30 movies with the majority of them turning out to be hit movies and blockbusters. She is the highest-paid actress in the South Indian industry
Besides being a great actress, she is also a Yoga master. She is charging 4 crores since Mirchi movie hit who previously used to charge 2 to 3 crores for the film.
With ultimate Blockbusters like Baahubali 1 & 2 and Rudramadevi, there might be possibilities that she may even charge Rs.5 crores. Bhaagamathie is one more blockbuster movie in her career.
#2. Nayanthara: Rs. 2.5-3 Crores/film
Well, how many of you all know the real name of Nayanthara? Diana Marium Kuria is her real name. After Anushka Shetty, Nayanthara is the second-highest-paid actress in the south Indian film industry.
She earns around 2.5 to 3 Crores per film. She is known for her glamour and she has a massive fan-following in Tamil Nadu. Nayanthara is an experienced actress and has acted for nearly two decades in the film industry.
She has featured in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada movies. With Malayalam movie named ‘Manassinakkare’, Nayanthara made her debut in the film industry in 2003. She was the female lead in many successful South Indian movies like Vismayathumbathu (2004), Vallavan (2006), Tulasi (2007), Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Simha (2010), Raja Rani (2013), Mass (2015), Maya (2015), etc.
#3. Tamanna Bhatia: Rs. 2-3 Crores/film
Tamanna Bhatia is one of the most beautiful actresses in India and is also known for her incredible acting skills. She became more popular after she acted in the Blockbuster movies Bahubali: The Beginning and Bahubali 2: The Conclusion.
She earns around INR 2 to 3 Crores per film. She made her acting debut in Bollywood with the film, Chand Sa Roshan Chehra and Telugu movie debut with Sri in 2005.
100% love is her biggest hit movie in the Telugu language and other hit movies include Happy Days and Kalloori.
#4. Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Rs. 2-2.5 Crores/film
Samantha Ruth Prabhu earns 2 to 2.5 Crores for each movie. She is more often seen acting only in Tamil and Telugu films. She got massive fame in South India after a hat-rick hit in movies like Theri, 24 and A…Aa.
Samantha made her debut in Telugu film industry with the movie Ye Maaya Chesave in 2010 romancing with Naga Chaitanya (her husband). She is also the brand ambassador of some Jewelry brands. Her other movies include Adirindhi, Raju Gaari Gaadhi 2 and Janatha Garage.
#5. Kajal Agarwal: Rs. 2 Crores/film
Kajal Agarwal has appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi movies. She earns around INR 2 Crores for each film. She made her identity in an acting career with Bollywood movie Kyun! Ho Gaya Na in 2004.
She then made her Telugu film debut with Lakshmi Kalyanam in 2007. She had also acted in blockbuster movie Chandamama, which was her first hit film in her career.
She acted in many movies like MLA, Nene Raju Nene Mantri, Adirindi, Janatha Garage, Vevekam, Kavalai Vendam, Khiladi No. 150, etc. However, Magadheera was the turning point in her profession. It was one of the record-breaking blockbuster movies of Telugu film industry.
#6. Shruti Hassan: Rs. 1.5 crore/film
Besides being an actress, Shruti Hassan is also a playback singer and music composer. She charges INR 1.5 Crores per film. Shruti has appeared in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. It is well-known that she is a daughter of south Indian famous actor Kamal Hasan.
She appeared in several super hit movies like Gabbar Singh (2012), Yevadu (2014), Race Gurram (2014) and Srimanthudu (2015).
#7. Rakul Preet Singh: Rs. 1 Crore/film
Rakul Preet Singh makes INR 1 Crore for per movie. The actress has appeared in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi films. In 2009, Rakul made her acting debut in Gilli film with the Kannada cinema industry.
She acted in movies like Winner, Yaariyan, Current Theega, Thadaiyara. She has also won people’s choice Miss India times title.
#8. Shriya Saran: Rs. 1 Crore/film
Shriya Saran comes 8th in the list of the highest-paid actress in south Indian film industries. She makes INR 1 Crore for each film. The experienced actress is known for her work in south Indian cinema too.
Shriya made her movie debut with the Telugu movie Ishtam in 2001. She featured in movies like Sivaji (Tamil), Awarapan (Hindi), Kanthaswamy (Tamil) and Pokkiri Raja (Malayalam). She also played the lead role in her first English movie “The Other End of the Line”.
Shriya was the brand ambassador for Celebrity Cricket League.
#9. Trisha Krishnan – Rs 90 lakhs
Trisha Krishnan is 90’s kids’ favourites actress in South India. She is known for the knack of acting. She has appeared in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu movies. Even now, she is in the top 10 list of the highest-paid actress in South India.
She earns around INR 90 Lakhs per movie. She has also done different commercial shows. Trisha is the brand ambassador for NAC Jewelers. Her movie debut in lead role with the film Mounam Pesiyadhe in 2002. Abhiyum Naanum and Vinnaithaadi Varuvaayaa are her best movies.
#10. Hansika Motwani – Rs 80 lakhs
Initially, Hansika Motwani acted in TV serial Shakalaka Boom Boom, which was aired by Star Parivar (Hindi viewers) and Star Vijay (Tamil viewers). She acted as a child artist in Koi Mil Gaya. Her other notable films are Billa, Maska, Something Something, Kandireega, etc.
Her latest movies are Bogan (2017) and Luckunnodu (2017). She earns Rs 80 lakhs per film.