The South Indian film industry has grown massively over the past few years, and they have set high standards for the pan-India audience. Whether we talk about Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, or Kannada cinema, the impressive storyline, strong cast, and quality cinema have amazed us. Now, audiences from all over India prefer watching South Indian films more than Bollywood cinema.
Many reasons worked in favour of South Indian cinema. The key reasons are unique stories as compared to most Bollywood movies, a strong cast, unimaginable action, plot twists, and highly talented actresses. Recently, the leading actresses are commanding higher pay than ever due to the audience they bring. The strong screen presence and fan love make them stand out.
Here, we will talk about the 10 highest-paid South Indian actresses in 2025 based on what they charged for each role. Let’s get started:
1. Sai Pallavi
Sai Pallavi has built a reputation based on her authentic, natural acting, strong performances, and large fan base. Sai became one of the most talked-about names in South Indian cinema for the quality she delivers in every role. In Ramayana, Sai is playing the role of Sita, and reports suggest that she is charging ₹12 crore in total for both parts of this movie. Also, Sai her charged ₹5 crore for her 2025 box office Thandel, which was a major hit in pan-India. There are also many reports and rumours that she has increased her charges to near ₹15 crore for new projects. Sai can charge based on her consistency, audience appeal, and increasing demand in pan-India and Bollywood projects.
2. Nayanthara
Often called the Lady Superstar, Nayanthara has a career filled with hit films in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. She brings both star power and acting skills to every project. Reports show she receives around ₹10 to ₹12 crore for a film and sometimes even more when the project is big. For her Hindi debut Jawan, she was paid about ₹10 crore. Along with movie fees, she earns from endorsements and special appearances. Her ability to balance commercial and serious roles keeps her at the top of the pay scale.
3. Trisha Krishnan
In 2025, Trisha Krishan remains one of the most respected names in South Indian Cinema for the work she has done in Tamil and Telugu films. She has been working in the South Indian movie industry for more than twenty years, and she continues to sign high-profile projects. Reports suggest that she has received close to ₹12 crore for the big-budget film Vishwambhara. Trish Krishnan often charges between ₹10 crore and ₹12 crore.
4. Rashmika Mandanna
Rashmika became the fan favourite for her beautiful looks, natural acting style, and the way she talks. In recent years, she has worked on multiple projects for Bollywood and South Indian cinema. Her lively screen presence in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi films has earned her the title of beauty queen. As per reports, Rashmika charged about ₹10 crore for the Pushpa 2 movie. Similarly, for her new Bollywood film Sikandar, she has charged around ₹13 crores. Rashmika also works on smaller projects, and her charges are between ₹4 crores and ₹5 crores.
5. Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Samantha is admired for her ability to take on a wide range of roles. She is active in both Tamil and Telugu cinema and is a familiar name on OTT platforms. Industry reports place her movie fee between ₹8 and ₹10 crore. She also earns through brand endorsements and web series. Even after facing health challenges, Samantha Ruth is consistently in demand and signing new projects in the South Indian cinema industry.
6. Anushka Shetty
Anushka gained fame with the film Baahubali, and she continues to choose strong and memorable roles even in 2025. Reports suggest that she charges between ₹5 and ₹7 crores for a film. Apart from charging high amounts, Anushka is also selective with her projects and often takes only high-budget movies and roles. There are also endorsement and investment options that continue to grow her net worth.
7. Tamannah Bhatia
Tamannah became a top name in the pan-India audience after working in the Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi film industries. She is often called the most beautiful actress, who has an elegant style and dance performances in every movie. Current reports suggest that her charges are between ₹4 crores and ₹ 5 crores per film. She is also working on web series and commercials for extra income.
8. Kajal Aggarwal
Kajal Aggarwal has been a popular face in South Indian cinema for many years. She has acted in a wide range of Telugu and Tamil films and some Hindi projects as well. In 2025, she is believed to earn about ₹1.5 to ₹4 crore for a movie, depending on the budget and role. Apart from movies, Kajal also works on brand endorsements, attends events, and does promotional events, which add to her net worth.
9. Keerthy Suresh
Rose to fame with Mahanati and many other successful films, Keerthy is a top name in the South Indian movie industry who is praised for choosing high-effort roles. Keerthy is a versatile actress who has made her name in roles that highlight her acting skills and talent. So, there is a large audience who loves to watch her movies. Due to this, Keerthy charges around ₹3 crores to ₹5 crores per film, as per multiple reports.
10. Pooja Hedge
This list is incomplete without mention of Pooja Hegde, as she is a top star in South India, and fans love her charming performance. Reports suggest that she charges between ₹4 and ₹6 crore per film. Pooja also does endorsements for fashion brands, which provide extra income. Her cross-industry appeal makes her a top name.
Conclusion
From Sai Pallavi to Pooja, these South Indian actresses have built their name upon talent, hard work, consistency, and persona. These celebrities charge based on their appeal to fans. If you think we missed any names, comment down to let us know.