This Kollywood Star Who Got Just 500 For First Movie is Highest Paid Actor Now

When you hear the term 'India's highest-paid actor,' your mind might conjure up images of Bollywood legends like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, or Akshay Kumar. But if you were to venture down south, you might consider names like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, or Prabhas. These are all reasonable guesses, but none of them holds the correct answer. Tamil superstar Vijay, with his upcoming film Leo, has claimed the title of India's highest-paid actor, marking a remarkable journey for the actor.

Thalapathy Vijay: The Reigning Indian Paymaster

In May of this year, reports surfaced that Vijay, affectionately known as Thalapathy Vijay by his fans, had commanded a staggering fee of Rs 200 crore for his role in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Leo. This figure catapults him beyond the earnings of celebrated actors like the Khans, Prabhas, and Rajinikanth, who have typically charged between Rs 100-150 crore for their recent films. Although Aamir Khan had once earned Rs 275 crore for Dangal, he has since adjusted his fees. While the Rs 200 crore paycheck remains unofficial, it indisputably places Vijay at the pinnacle as the highest-paid actor in the nation.

Thalapathy Vijay's Modest Beginnings

Yet, Vijay's journey to this position was not always a bed of roses. As the son of Tamil filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar, Vijay entered the film industry as a child actor in the 1980s. His cinematic debut came in 1984 with Vetri, directed by his father. In an interview in 2017, Chandrasekhar disclosed that the 10-year-old Vijay was compensated with a meager Rs 500 for his role in the film, courtesy of actor-producer PS Veerappa. Vijay continued to appear as a child actor in various films throughout the 1980s before making his transition to lead roles as an adult in 1992 with Naalaiya Theerpu.

Thalapathy Vijay's Fortunes

While Vijay enjoyed growing popularity in the 1990s through films like Love Today and Poove Unakkaga, it was the 2003 blockbuster Ghilli that catapulted him to stardom. This marked the beginning of a string of hits, including Pokkiri (2007), Kaavalan (2011), and Nanban (2012). From 2012 onwards, with mega successes like Thuppakki, Mersal, Sarkar, and Bigil, he consistently shattered box office records, solidifying his position as the leading star in the Tamil film industry, outshining even luminaries like Rajinikanth and Ajith Kumar. According to GQ, as of 2022, Vijay boasts a net worth of $56 million (over Rs 450 crore), firmly establishing him as one of the wealthiest actors in the country.