Rajinikanth, the revered icon of the South Indian film industry, commands a fanbase that venerates him akin to a deity. After a substantial hiatus, the maestro has graced the silver screen once again with the film Jailer, starring Tamannaah Bhatia, Jackie Shroff, and other prominent actors in pivotal roles. Amidst discussions about his magnanimity, persona, acting prowess, and aura, one aspect that has experienced substantial growth over the years is his salary.
At present, Rajinikanth stands as one of the wealthiest actors in India, boasting a staggering net worth of Rs 430 crore, as reported by Lifestyle Asia. This remarkable journey of financial prosperity is intricately woven into the fabric of his career trajectory. Allow us to delve into the progression.
In the nascent stages of his illustrious career, Rajinikanth's understanding of his own market value was modest, leading him to undervalue his services. It is fascinating to note that he used to command a meager fee of around Rs 30,000 for his projects.
A viral video, where he reminisces about the late screenwriter Panchu Arunachalam, sheds light on a defining incident. In the OTT play, he recalls, "I told Panchu, sir, that I take Rs 30,000 (per film). Since he wanted to take me to Singapore and Malaysia for the shoots, I asked him to give me some Rs 20,000 or 35,000."
Rajinikanth then reveals Panchu's reaction, "You’re worse than me. You are just charging Rs 30,000? Do you know what kind of business your films are doing at the box office? Do you know that distributors and exhibitors vie for your movie rights? Is there no one to tell you all this?" This encounter led to a turning point in his career as Arunachalam offered him a substantial sum of Rs 1,10,000 for the film Priya, propelling him into a realm of newfound recognition. From that moment on, Rajinikanth's trajectory soared, and he ascended to become one of the highest-paid actors in India.
From those humble beginnings, Rajinikanth embarked on a journey that has fortified his position in the industry. Whether it's his resounding success in the South or his foray into Bollywood, his indelible mark remains untouched. Presently, the actor commands a staggering Rs 100 Crore per film. However, recent reports indicate that the esteemed actor took home a colossal sum of Rs 110 crore for his most recent venture, Jailer. Remarkably, the entire budget of the film was reported to be Rs 225 crores.
Rajinikanth's evolution is a testament to his unwavering dedication to entertaining his audience with his unparalleled action sequences and extraordinary acting abilities. Were you aware of his remarkable journey of salary growth? We invite you to share your insights.
