The Indian OTT industry has evolved significantly, transitioning from small-scale YouTube content to big-budget productions featuring top Bollywood stars. With streaming platforms investing heavily in original series, actor fees have skyrocketed, reaching record-breaking amounts.
Ajay Devgn: The Highest-Paid OTT Star
In 2021, Ajay Devgn made his OTT debut with Rudra: Edge of Darkness, the Indian adaptation of the British hit Luther. According to reports, he charged an unprecedented ₹125 crore for the seven-episode season, averaging ₹18 crore per episode. This paycheck surpassed even the film fees of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who reportedly earned between ₹90-100 crore per movie at the time.
Why Such a High Fee?
Ajay’s massive earnings were justified by the show’s extended runtime, equivalent to two full-length films. Additionally, his contract included promotional activities for Star Network, including social media posts, reality show appearances, and ad campaigns.
Other Top-Paid OTT Stars
While Ajay Devgn leads the list, other actors have also earned significant amounts for their streaming projects. Saif Ali Khan reportedly charged ₹15-20 crore for Sacred Games 2, while Varun Dhawan earned ₹12-15 crore for Citadel: Honey Bunny. Meanwhile, actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have been paid between ₹5-10 crore for their major OTT projects.
The booming OTT industry in India continues to attract top Bollywood stars, and with growing demand for premium content, actor salaries are expected to rise even further.
