Curious who’s signing the juiciest cheques right now? After two decades in entertainment journalism, I’ve learned one simple truth: the Top 10 highest paid Bollywood actresses of 2025 don’t live on fixed “price tags.” Quotes swing with scale, genre, franchise muscle, and—lately—backend profit shares. We present a vetted, clear snapshot of per-film pay ranges that trusted trade outlets report in 2024–2025, with context so you can read the market like a producer, not a gossip column..
Quick note: Salaries are rarely disclosed officially. Treat these as best-fit ranges from recent reporting and trade chatter, not courtroom affidavits.
How I built this (so you can trust it)
- Recency first: 2024–2025 reporting over old listicles.
- Ranges, not absolutes: Fees flex by role (lead vs ensemble), language market, and franchise premiums.
- Project lens: “Bollywood actress salary” differs wildly between a prestige drama and a two-part universe film with profit share.
1) Priyanka Chopra Jonas — ₹25–30 crore+ (project-dependent)
The global crossover star still commands top-tier Indian deals. When the canvas is big—spy/adventure, pan-India, or a prestige drama with OTT heft—Priyanka’s negotiations reportedly land in the ₹25–30 crore zone, sometimes more if back-end is in play. She’s the ceiling setter that keeps everyone else honest.
2) Deepika Padukone — ₹15–30 crore
Few stars blend box-office reliability with auteur credibility like Deepika. For tentpoles and mytho-sci-fi scale, ₹20–30 crore headlines surface; mid-scale dramas land lower in the band. Studio universes love her because she brings both opening-day aura and long-tail appeal.
3) Alia Bhatt — ~₹15 crore
A power player who oscillates between festival-grade and franchise-friendly, Alia’s per-film fee reliably sits around ₹15 crore. Add in endorsements and strategic co-productions and her overall earning power is even higher—though ads ≠ salary, so let’s keep lanes clean.
4) Katrina Kaif — ₹15–21 crore (franchise premium applies)
Katrina’s action credibility in universe films pushes her quote north of ₹15 crore, with ₹20 crore+ whispers when stunts, training blocks, and global shoots stack up. A reminder that “per-film fee” isn’t just about screen time; it’s the skillset and physicality package too.
5) Kangana Ranaut — ₹15–20+ crore (title/role-dependent)
Whatever your take on her politics, Kangana remains a formidable solo-lead draw. Biopics, period pieces, and author-backed parts often place her in the mid-teens to 20 crore band. Performance-led projects with controlled budgets sometimes swap a slice of fee for backend.
6) Kiara Advani — ₹12–15 crore (surging)
This is the year Kiara fully graduates to the “first-call” list. Post a run of mainstream successes and pan-India picks, reports peg her at ₹12–15 crore for top banners. She’s the template for how smart slate selection compresses the time it takes to climb a pay ladder.
7) Kareena Kapoor Khan — ₹10–12 crore
Two decades in and Kareena still commands premium rates for ensembles and mid-to-large dramas. Her brand equity is a fortress, but keep ad money separate from per-film salary; the on-set cheque typically lives in the ₹10–12 crore bracket.
8) Shraddha Kapoor — ₹7–15 crore (ceiling tests to ~₹17 crore)
Stree momentum and youth connect keep Shraddha valuable. For franchise entries and horror-comedy sweet spots, her quote floats ₹10–15 crore; there have been reported peaks around ₹17 crore with profit-share talk. Translation: producers expect legs beyond opening weekend.
9) Rashmika Mandanna — ₹4–10 crore (Hindi projects)
Rashmika’s Pan-India stardom helps, but Hindi-only deals usually sit ₹4–8 crore, with spikes closer to ₹10 crore when crossover heat from South tentpoles is fresh. Expect variance: role size, schedule complexity, and bilingual shoots can nudge numbers either way.
10) Kriti Sanon — ₹4–6 crore
Post-Mimi and a busy 2024, Kriti’s dependable box-office and genre flexibility hold her in the ₹4–6 crore range. Pair that with entrepreneurial bets and brand work, and you get a portfolio that’s sturdier than a single salary line suggests.
Close contenders to watch
Janhvi Kapoor — ₹4–5 crore on recent rom-com/action mix; one breakout tentpole could reset her bracket.
Tabu — ₹3–4 crore typical; prestige projects sometimes re-structure payouts (smaller base, smarter backend).
What’s really driving “highest paid” in 2025?
1) Franchise premiums are real
Universe films (spy/action/mythos) pay for continuity and world-building. The star becomes a brand node, not just a cast line. That’s why the Top 10 highest paid Bollywood actresses of 2025 map closely to franchise availability.
2) Profit share > flat fee (for a few)
At the very top, backend deals—box-office corridors, OTT buyout sweeteners, music/IP carve-outs—can beat a flat “Bollywood actress salary.” If you see a headline number that feels low, check for participations.
3) Momentum resets quotes
One blockbuster can yank a quote upward in a quarter; two underperformers can cool it just as fast. Keep an eye on per-film fee in the months right after a major release.
FAQs (because you’ll ask)
Are these exact salaries?
No. These are reported ranges triangulated from recent mainstream coverage and trade talk. Studios and stars rarely publish contracts.
Why is Priyanka on an India list when she works globally?
Because she signs Indian projects and the Bollywood pay scale is benchmarked against peers active in Hindi cinema.
Endorsements count, right?
Not for this list. Brand money can dwarf film fees, but we’re focusing on per-film remuneration to keep apples with apples.
So who’s rising fastest in 2025?
Kiara Advani (franchise entries) and Shraddha Kapoor (horror-comedy momentum, youth demo) have the clearest up-trends.
TL;DR
Priyanka (₹25–30cr+), Deepika (₹15–30cr), Alia (~₹15cr), Katrina (₹15–21cr), Kangana (₹15–20cr+), Kiara (₹12–15cr), Kareena (₹10–12cr), Shraddha (₹7–15cr; peaks ~₹17cr), Rashmika (₹4–10cr, Hindi), Kriti (₹4–6cr).
Ranges vary by role size, profit share, and—most of all—franchise physics.
Final word: In an industry that’s part cinema, part high-stakes poker, range is the honest unit. The Top 10 highest paid Bollywood actresses of 2025 aren’t just collecting salaries; they’re negotiating leverage—franchises, windows, and revenue rivers. Read the numbers, sure. But always read the slate.
Bio of Author: Gayatri Tiwari is an experienced digital strategist and entertainment writer, bringing 20+ years of content expertise to one of India’s largest OTT platforms. She blends industry insight with a passion for cinema to deliver engaging, trustworthy perspectives on movies, TV shows and web series.
