Top 15 Highest-Paid Bollywood Actresses in 2024

Today the Bollywood film Industry has almost completed 100 years. And this century-long journey has witnessed tremendous changes. From technology used to shoot movies to the genre of movies, things have evolved only for the better. One significant change that cannot be ignored is the role of women in the industry.

Not just how women are portrayed in movies but also how women work in this industry has been reinvented. One very evident change has been regarding women’s pay in Bollywood. Women have come a long way to get what they deserve. And surprisingly, many Bollywood actresses are earning more than many actors.

Highest Paid Indian Actresses

Here is a list of highest-paid Bollywood actresses and their per movie fees.

Overview of Bollywood Actresses

Deepika Padukone (Rs. 15-30 crores per movie)

This diva is undoubtedly the queen of Bollywood. Many people still don’t know this: Deepika Padukone appeared in an advertising campaign on the screen for the first time when she was just 8. Starting her acting career in the South with the Kannada movie Aishwarya in 2006, she has become the highest-paid actress in the Hindi film industry.

Kangana Ranaut (Rs. 15-27 crores per movie)

The “boss lady” of Bollywood, surrounded by controversies most of the time, comes second on India’s list of highest-paid actresses. She works on the principle, “I will take what is mine with fire and blood”. Kangana Ranaut started her career with Gangster in 2006 and is a successful filmmaker today. She is called the “Queen” and is an inspiration to all women for being bold and ambitious. She has received National Awards for several movies.

Priyanka Chopra (Rs. 14-23 crores per movie)

Who does not know Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra? Starting her acting career with a Tamil movie in 2002, she has today reached Hollywood after delivering some of the best movies made in Bollywood. Be it her acting, her aura, or her ‘strong woman” personality; she has impressed people not only in India but all over the world. Known as “Piggy Chops” in the industry, she has won National Awards twice.

Katrina Kaif (Rs. 15-21 crores per movie)

Being someone from an entirely different country and culture and making such a strong place so swiftly in another country is not easy. But Katrina Kaif has done this! One of the gorgeous actresses in showbiz, Kat is an all-rounder when it comes to acting. Romance, comedy, action, she has done it all! She started her Bollywood journey in 2003 with Boom, and since then, there has been no stopping. She continues to be a part of some biggest movies of all time.

Alia Bhatt (Rs. 10-20 crores per movie)

The “Student" of the year in 2012 has not just graduated but mastered her art by 2023. Alia Bhatt has given some stellar performances in her acting career. Be it Gangubai Kathiawadi, Udta Punjab, or Raazi; she has received accolades from people all over the country. Young compared to her counterparts in the list, she has made a solid place in this industry for herself.

Kareena Kapoor (Rd. 8-18 crores per movie)

Bebo started her acting career with Refugee in 2000. She has acted in over 60 Hindi movies. She has acted in diverse roles and movies, serving every flavour on the platter. Be it Jab We Met, which was re-released in theatres in 2023, or Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, which is an all-time favourite for youngsters and their parents alike, Kareena has won many hearts. She has shown that being a mother and acting can coexist beautifully.

Shraddha Kapoor (Rs. 7-15 crores per movie)

This bubbly girl started her Bollywood career in 2010 with Teen Patti. One after the other, she has done some great movies over the years. The “Stree” of Bollywood is a happy-go-lucky person who is a favourite of many young Bollywood fans. She is a real entertainer, be it on-screen or off-screen.

Vidya Balan (Rs. 8-14 crores per movie)

Although Vidya Balan had slightly disappeared from showbiz for a few years in between, her comeback had been stronger than ever. Starting from the Bengali movie Bhalo Theko in 2003, she has impressed the audience with most of her movies. The mind-boggling plots in her movies, along with her terrific acting, result in the best one could ask for. Be it “Manjulika” or “Vidya Bagchi”, she has set the bar high for herself and, thus, the return for it.

Anushka Sharma (Rs. 8-12 crores per movie)

Seen as the sweet and innocent “Taani ji” in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi for the first time is also among the highest-paid Bollywood divas. Someone with no background in the film industry has created her name so big that producers are ready to pay such whopping amounts. Although she has reduced the number of movies she acts in a year, she has established herself as a producer.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Rs. 10 crores per movie)

Crowned Miss World 1994, this beauty is an absolute diva in the industry. While she has been loved for all her roles, she has worked in various genres. From playing Jodha in Jodha Akbar to a clever thief in Dhoom 2, she has diverse roles and movies to her credit. Coming from a humble South-Indian background, she has worked hard to reach such a high place in the industry. Her dance moves and astonishing beauty have earned her fans all over the globe.

Bhumi Pednekar (Rs. 4-12 crores per movie)

An ‘outsider’ in the film industry, Bhumi Pednekar showed her dedication towards acting and movies right from her very first movie Dum Laga Ke Haisha, in 2015, wherein she gained more than 12 kgs for her role. Whatever role she does, she just fits in so naturally because of the fine acting skills she possesses. She has made a big name in the industry and thus is one of the top-paid actresses.

Kriti Sanon (Rs. 5-11 crores per movie)

Believe it or not, it is very difficult for an outsider to make a successful career in Bollywood as an actor. But Kriiti Sanon has not just made a successful career but also made her place in the top-most actresses in the industry. Starting with modelling, she got her first movie Nennokadine in the Telugu film industry in 2014. In the same year, she made her Bollywood debut with Heropanti. She is a renowned name in the South as well as the Hindi film industry.

Disha Patani (Rs. 5-9 crores per movie)

Known not only for her acting but also for her excellent dance numbers, Disha Patani is well-admired by young fans. She does it all: acting, dancing, action, and romance. This gorgeous lady started her acting career with TVCs, then bagged a Telugu movie Loafer in 2015 and finally started her Hindi film industry journey with M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story in 2016. She was the runner-up of Femina Miss India in 2013. She is a fashion and fitness icon among the youth.

Sara Ali Khan (Rs. 6-8 crores per movie)

When it comes to star kids and their acting careers, it gets quite controversial. But despite that, one of the many other star kids, Sara Ali Khan, has carved out a place for herself in the industry on her own merit. She might have done only a few films since her debut in Kedarnath in 2018, but she has become a favourite of the millennials and Gen Z.

Kiara Advani (Rs. 5-8 crores per movie)

Starting with Fugly in 2015, Kiara Advani has made a special place for herself in Bollywood faster than most other actors and actresses. Preeti from Kabir Singh or Dimple from Shershaah does not have too many movies to her name as yet, but the ones she has are all loved by people. It is her tremendous performances that have given her a place in this list of highest-paid Bollywood actresses.

Conclusion

The role and status of women are changing every day. Women are reinventing themselves daily and creating a place for themselves wherever they go. Although they have to go through a lot of struggles, they are changing the conventional and patriarchal mindsets. Women in Bollywood have also fought too long for equal and deserving pay. They might not have achieved this goal fully, but they have reached close. And therefore, so many actresses are paid whopping amounts that are even more than some actors earn. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go if we compare it with how much the top actors are paid. But our actresses are going to reach there in some time!