Regarding the vibrant world of Kannada cinema, the star power of its leading actors has reached impressive new heights. In this article, we bring you the Top 10 Highest-Paid Kannada Actors, spotlighting the icons who dominate the sandalwood industry both on screen and at the box office.
Whether you are curious about the highest-paid Kannada actors of all time or eager to know who tops the list among the highest-paid Kannada actors 2025, this guide covers it all. From legendary names like Yash and Puneeth Rajkumar to rising stars setting new benchmarks.
Highest-paid Kannada Actors 2025
Here we curate a list of the Top 10 Highest-paid Kannada actors, so look below and know their net worths and how much they demand per movie as a salary.
| Kannada Actors | Fees Per Movie (Rs) | Net Worth (Rs) |
| Yash | 60cr to 100cr per movie | $7 million (₹53 crore) |
| Darshan Thoogudeep | 20cr to 25cr per movie | $12 million (₹100 crore) |
| Kiccha Sudeep | 10cr to 25cr per movie | $16 million (INR 125 Crores) |
| Puneeth Rajkumar | 15cr per movie | $20 million (INR 187 Crores) |
| Rishab Shetty | 15cr per movie | $1.5 million (INR 12 crore) |
| Upendra | 10cr to 15cr per movie | $9 million (₹78 crore) |
| Dhruva Sarja | 10cr per movie | $5 million (₹48 crore) |
| Shivarajkumar | 8cr per movie | $ 27.6 million (INR 230 crore) |
| Rakshit Shetty | 5cr to 10cr per movie | $ 1 million (INR 3 crore) |
| Sri Murali | 7cr per movie | $2.5 million (INR 6 crore) |
1. Yash
Naveen Kumar Gowda, Yash, is an indian actor who predominantly works in Kannada cinema. He is one of the highest-paid actors in South Indian cinema. Yash began his acting career by appearing in several TV series in 2000.
He won several accolades during his acting career, including three Filmfare Awards South and five SIIMA Awards. According to reports, he demands Rs. 60cr to 100cr per movie. Yash’s net worth is estimated to be $7 million and ₹53 crore in Indian rupees.
- Notable Films: KGF, KGF Chapter 2, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, Raja Huli
- Net Worth: $7 million and ₹53 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 60cr to 100cr
2. Darshan Thoogudeep
Darshan Thoogudeepa is an actor, film producer, and distributor who mostly works in Kannada cinema. He is one of the highest-paid and leading contemporary actors of Kannada cinema, who has appeared in 50 or more films in his career of over two decades.
Darshan established the production house Thoogudeepa Productions in 2006 and demands 20cr to 25cr per movie, and his estimated net worth is $12 million and ₹100 crore in rupees.
- Notable Films: Kariya, Kalasipalya, Suntaragaali, Snehana Preethina
- Net Worth: $12 million and ₹100 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 20cr to 25cr
3. Kichcha Sudeepa
Kichcha Sudeepa is an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, and singer, a television presenter who primarily works in Kannada cinema, along with Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil films.
He ranks third in the list of highest-paid actors and has also appeared in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2013. He received multiple awards, receiving multiple awards including four Filmfare Awards, two Karnataka State Film Awards, and one Nandi Award.
Due to his rising popularity, he demands 10cr to 25cr per movie as his salary, and his net worth is estimated to be $16 million and 125 Crores in rupees.
- Notable Films: Pailwaan, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Avuku Raju, Dabangg 3, Bali Singh
- Net Worth: $16 million and 125 Crores
- Salary Per Movie: 10cr to 25cr
4. Puneeth Rajkumar
Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar is an actor, playback singer, film producer, television presenter, and philanthropist who works in Kannada cinema. He is one of the most promising and popular actors of Kannada cinema in his time.
He appeared in 32 films and demands 15 cr per movie, and his net worth is estimated to be $20 million and INR 187 Crores in rupees.
- Notable Films: Premada Kanike, Abhi, Veera Kannadiga, Ajay, Arasu
- Net Worth: $20 million and INR 187 Crores
- Salary Per Movie: 15 cr
5. Rishab Shetty
Prashanth Shetty is also known as Rishab Shetty, who is an indian actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter who mostly works in Kannada films. He came to the limelight for his critically and commercially blockbuster film Kantara, where he featured in lead roles.
He won several awards in his career for his acting skills, including three National Film Awards, two Karnataka State Film Awards, and two Filmfare Awards.
He demands 15cr per movie as a salary and his net worth is around $1.5 million and 12 crore in indian rupees.
- Notable Films: Bell Bottom, Kantara, Ricky, Ulidavaru Kandanthe, Lucia
- Net Worth: $1.5 million and 12 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 15 cr
6. Upendra Rao
Upendra Rao is an actor, film director and playback singer, producer, and politician who worked primarily in Kannada cinema, along with a few Telugu and Tamil films. He began his film career as a writer and an assistant director with actor and film director Kashinath.
He received an Honorary Doctorate from Angkor University in 2015. He charged 10cr to 15cr per movie, and his net worth is estimated to be $9 million and ₹78 crore in rupees.
- Notable Films: Uppi, Super Star, Kutumb, Raktha Kanneeru, Hollywood, Gokarna
- Net Worth: $9 million and ₹78 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 15 cr
7. Dhruva Sarja
Dhruva Sarja is an indian actor who mostly features in Kannada films and made his acting debut with the film Addhuri. He won several accolades to his name, including two SIIMA Awards. He charged 10cr per movie, and his estimated net worth is $5 million, or ₹48 crore in rupees.
- Notable Films: Martin, Sema Thimiru, The Devil, Pogaru, Dhira
- Net Worth: $5 million, and ₹48 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 10 cr
8. Shivarajkumar
Shivarajkumar is an actor, film producer, and television presenter who works in Kannada films. He appeared in 125 films in his career spanning over three decades.
Through his acting, he won several accolades, including four Karnataka State Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South, and six South Indian International Movie Awards.
Shiv Rajkumar has been active in the industry for over 25 years. Widely known as Shivanna, he has taken on a variety of roles throughout his career. He has been embraced by the Kannada audiences with open arms.
He charged 8 cr per movie, and his whopping net worth is estimated at $ 27.6 million and INR 230 crore approximately.
- Notable Films: Bhajarangi, Vedha, Mufti, 45, Jailer
- Net Worth: $27.6 million, and ₹230 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 8 cr
9. Rakshit Shetty
Rakshit Shetty is an actor and filmmaker who works in Kannada cinema. He made his acting debut with the film Namm Areal Ond Dina in 2010. He is the recipient of a National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards South, two Karnataka State Film Awards and five SIIMA Awards.
Shetty’s filmmaking style is regarded as ‘Simple Star’, he also owns a filmmaking studio and distribution company named Paramvah Studios.
He charged 5cr to 10cr per movie, and if we talk about his bank balance, his net worth is approximately $ 1 million and INR 3 crore.
- Notable Films: Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, Kirik Party, Avane Srimannarayana, 777 Charlie
- Net Worth: $ 1 million and INR 3 crore
- Salary Per Movie: 7 cr
10. Sri Murali
Sriimurali is also known as Murali, is an actor who works in Kannada cinema. He made his acting debut with the film Chandra Chakori in 2003. In his acting debut film, he was awarded the Best Actor in the Karnataka State Film Awards in 2004.
He charged 7cr per movie as a salary, and his net worth is estimated to be $2.5 million, or INR 6 crore approximately.
- Notable Films: Sri Harikathe, Hari, Ugramm, Agastya, Jagan Mohan, Bagheera
- Net Worth: $2.5 million, and INR 6
- Salary Per Movie: 7 cr
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