In 2025, Tamil cinema produced several superhit movies. Whether it’s about a thriller movie, Rajnikanth’s blockbuster, Coolie, or a family comedy drama like Vijay Sethupathi’s Thalaivan Thalaivi, Tamil cinema continues to impress with action, drama, thriller, and comedy.
But have you wondered how much Tamil actors charge per movie? Who is the highest-paid Tamil actor? And who is the richest actor in Tamil cinema? To answer these questions, the National Film Awards 2025 presents the Top 10 Highest-Paid Tamil Actors 2025.
Read this article and explore these Tamil cinema actors’ age, per-movie charges, hit movies, net worth, and much more. Keep scrolling to see the Top 10 highest-paid actors in Tamil film industry.
Also check out: Top 10 Highest-Paid Kannada Actors & Their Net Worths
Top 10 Highest-Paid Tamil Actors 2025 List
Below, we provide a curated list of the top 10 highest-paid Tamil actors who not only ruled over the film industry but also gained immense wealth through acting.
| Rank | Actor | Estimated Pay Per Film (INR) | Net Worth (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rajinikanth | ₹260–280 crore | ₹430 crore |
| 2 | Vijay (Thalapathy) | ₹200–250 crore | ₹600 crore |
| 3 | Ajith Kumar | ₹105–165 crore | ₹350 crore |
| 4 | Kamal Haasan | ₹75–100 crore | ₹450 crore |
| 5 | Suriya | ₹40–70 crore | ₹350 crore |
| 6 | Dhanush | ₹35 crore | ₹230 crore |
| 7 | Vikram | ₹30 crore | ₹80 crore |
| 8 | Karthi | ₹25 crore | ₹90 crore |
| 9 | Vijay Sethupathi | ₹20 crore | ₹70 crore |
| 10 | Silambarasan (STR) | ₹18 crore | ₹60 crore |
1. Rajnikanth
- Age: 74
- Pay Per Movie: ₹260–280 crore
- Net Worth: ₹430 crore
- Hit Movies: Coolie, Jailer, Enthiran, Baashha, Kabali
- Awards: Padma Bhushan, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, Nandi Awards
Superstar Rajinikanth, popular in the movie industry as “Thalivar,” has worked in the Tamil industry since the 1970s. He is the highest-paid actor in Tamil cinema. He has worked in approximately 170+ movies. The recently released movie “Coolie” made a worldwide box office collection of over Rs. 500 crore.
Time changes, and new stars come with their acting skills, but don’t shake Rajnikanth. He marked her presence as unforgettable. Hence, Rajinikanth proves in his 50-year acting career why he is called “Thalivar.”
2. Vijay Thalapathy
- Age: 51
- Pay Per Movie: ₹200–250 crore
- Net Worth: ₹600 crore
- Hit Movies: Master, Varisu, Beast, Mersal
- Awards: Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, Vijay Awards, SIIMA Awards
Vijay is an Indian actor and playback singer in Kollywood, or Tamil cinema. Vijay’s stage name is “Thalapathy.” He is the second-highest-paid actor in Tamil cinema. He started his acting career in childhood with Vetru (1984) and his first lead role in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992).
He worked in over 68+ movies in his 41-year acting career. He charged approximately 200-250 crore per movie. In February 2024, he launched his political party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam.
3. Ajith Kumar
- Age: 54
- Pay Per Movie: ₹105–165 crore
- Net Worth: ₹350 crore
- Hit Movies: Veeram, Mankatha, Viswasam, Valimai
- Awards: Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Vijay Awards, Filmfare Awards South
Ajith Kumar is one of the highest-paid actors in 2025. He started his acting career with a supporting role as a school student in En Veedu En Kanavar (1990). He started his acting career with a lead role in 1993 in Prema Pusthakam.
In his 35-year acting career, he has appeared in over 63 movies. He charged approximately ₹105 to ₹165 crore per movie. Ajith Kumar was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.
4. Kamal Haasan
- Age: 70
- Pay Per Movie: ₹75–100 crore
- Net Worth: ₹450 crore
- Hit Movies: Vikram, Indian, Dasavathaaram, Hey Ram
- Awards: Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Kamal Haasan is an actor, filmmaker, and now serves as a politician. He has worked on over 250+ films in many languages, such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, and Bengali. He charged approximately ₹75-100 crore per movie.
He started his acting career as a child artist at the age of 5 in the 1960 Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma, which earned him the National Award for Best Child Artist. Currently, he has won 5 National Film Awards, 20 Filmfare Awards, 11 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and many more.
5. Suriya
- Age: 50
- Pay Per Movie: ₹40–70 crore
- Net Worth: ₹350 crore
- Hit Movies: Soorarai Pottru, Kaakha Kaakha, Singam, Jai Bhim
- Awards: Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA Awards
Surya, also known as “action king,” is one of the highest-paid Tamil actors who mainly works in Tamil cinema. He is known for her bold and daring role, which is full of action and thriller. He started his acting career in 1997 with Nerrukku Ner. He worked in over 50 movies.
His net worth is approximately Rs 350 crore. He has won many awards for his work in Tamil cinema, including two National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards South, and five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
6. Dhanush
- Age: 42
- Pay Per Movie: ₹35 crore
- Net Worth: ₹230 crore
- Hit Movies: Raanjhanaa, Asuran, Maari, Velaiilla Pattadhari
- Awards: National Film Award, Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA Awards, Vijay Awards
Dhanush is a versatile performer in the Indian cinema industry. He is an actor, producer, playback singer, and lyricist. He worked on over 70+ films in many languages, such as Hindi, Telugu, English, and his mother tongue, Tamil.
Now Dhanush is charged 35 crore per movie, and his net worth is approximately Rs 230 crore. He has won 14 SIIMA Awards, nine Vijay Awards, eight Filmfare Awards South, five Edison Awards, four National Film Awards, and a Filmfare Award.
7. Vikram
- Age: 59
- Pay Per Movie: ₹30 crore
- Net Worth: ₹80 crore
- Hit Movies: Vikram, I, Anniyan, Pithamagan
- Awards: National Film Award, Filmfare Awards South, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, SIIMA Awards, Vijay Awards
Kennedy John Victor, who is known professionally as Chiyaan Vikram. He is an actor, playback singer, and one of the highest-paid actors in Tamil cinema. He started his career in modeling in advert films for brands. He is a king of action, thriller, and suspense movies.
Vikram has done movies in many languages, like Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. He has won a National Film Award for Best Actor and seven Filmfare Awards South.
8. Karthi
- Age: 48
- Pay Per Movie: ₹25 crore
- Net Worth: ₹90 crore
- Hit Movies: Kaithi, Kaatru Veliyidai, Paruthiveeran, Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru
- Awards: Filmfare Awards South, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, SIIMA Awards
Karthik Sivakumar, also known as Karthi, is an Indian actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He started his career as an assistant director in Aayutha Ezhuthu after he debuted as a lead actor in Paruthiveeran. He has acted in more than 125 films.
Karthi’s current net worth is approximately Rs 90 crore. He has won 3 Filmfare Awards South and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
9. Vijay Sethupathi
- Age: 47
- Pay Per Movie: ₹20 crore
- Net Worth: ₹70 crore
- Hit Movies: 96, Master, Super Deluxe, Pannaiyarum Padminiyum
- Awards: Filmfare Awards South, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, SIIMA Awards, Vijay Awards
Vijay Sethupathi is a versatile Tamil actor and producer. He also works in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada films, mainly works in Tamil films, and is one of the highest-paid actors in Tamil cinema. Sethupati started his acting career working as a background actor and played mainly supporting roles.
Sethupathi worked in his first film, “Thenmerku Paruvakaatru,” as a lead actor. He worked in approximately 50 films. He has won numerous awards, including National Film Awards, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, and many more.
10. Silambarasan (STR)
- Age: 42
- Pay Per Movie: ₹18 crore
- Net Worth: ₹60 crore
- Hit Movies: Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, Maanaadu, Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, Love Today
- Awards: Filmfare Awards South, Vijay Awards, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Silambarasan Tesingu Rajendar, also known as Simbu or by his initials as STR, is an Indian actor, producer, director, and playback singer who primarily works in Tamil cinema. He has also done some Telugu songs. He started his acting career as a child artist in his father’s (T. Rajendra) films.
Simbhu has worked in approximately 45 films. He has won the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) for Best Actor in 2022 for Maanaadu, two Edison Awards, and the JFW Man of the Year Award in 2023.
Conclusion
When we talk about who is the top 1 actor in Tamil Nadu, or who is the box office king of Tamil Cinema? There is no difference between “Rajnikanth and Vijay”; they both are widely considered top contenders for the title of the Top 10 Highest-Paid Tamil Actors 2025, and the most prominent actor and box office king in Tamil Nadu.
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