
You won’t believe who became India’s highest-paid OTT star and took home Rs 18 crore per episode
Ajay Devgn. The Bollywood superstar, known for his intense roles, set a new benchmark by becoming India's highest-paid OTT actor.
Ajay Devgn's Record-Breaking OTT Deal
In 2021, Ajay Devgn made his digital debut with Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, an Indian adaptation of the British series Luther. The psychological crime thriller featured him as a brooding, relentless cop navigating a dark world of crime. Reports suggest that he charged an astounding Rs 125 crore for the seven-episode season, translating to approximately Rs 18 crore per episode—the highest per-episode fee in Indian OTT history.
The significance of this deal becomes evident when compared to top Bollywood stars’ film earnings at the time. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan reportedly earned between Rs 90-100 crore for films like Raees, Zero, and Bharat. Devgn’s deal, however, was structured differently, considering the runtime of the show, which was viewed as equivalent to two full-length feature films. According to Bollywood Hungama, his contract also included promotional commitments, such as social media campaigns and television appearances for Star Network.
Other High-Paid OTT Stars
While Ajay Devgn leads the OTT earnings chart, other Bollywood actors have also secured substantial paychecks for their streaming ventures. Reports indicate that:
- Saif Ali Khan earned between Rs 15-20 crore for Sacred Games 2.
- Varun Dhawan was paid Rs 12-15 crore for Citadel: Honey Bunny.
- Manoj Bajpayee reportedly secured Rs 20 crore for The Family Man 3
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