Meet India’s highest paid OTT actress In India, the landscape of streaming content, known as over-the-top (OTT) platforms, has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, it started with low-budget slice-of-life dramas pioneered by The Viral Fever (TVF).
However, the entry of major streaming giants like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix changed the game with shows like Inside Edge and Sacred Games, which were cinematic in scale. Consequently, this shift elevated the fees of Indian actors working in these shows, with some now surpassing the earnings of top Bollywood stars.
Leading the pack is Priyanka Chopra, who has become India’s highest-paid actor on OTT platforms, thanks to her role in Prime Video’s Citadel. The series, created by the Russo Brothers, boasted a staggering budget of $250 million. Priyanka made headlines not just for her hefty paycheck but also for achieving pay parity with her male co-star, Richard Madden. While the exact figures remain undisclosed, industry speculations place their earnings at a remarkable $25-30 million each. This places Priyanka’s fees for Citadel above the entire production budget of India’s costliest series, Heeramandi.
Prior to Priyanka, Ajay Devgn held the title of India’s highest-paid OTT star, courtesy of his substantial payday for Disney+ Hotstar’s Rudra: Edge of Darkness. Most actors in the OTT realm command fees ranging from Rs 10-15 crore for their roles. For instance, Manoj Bajpayee reportedly received Rs 10 crore for The Family Man, while Kareena Kapoor charged Rs 12 crore for Jaane Jaan, and Alia Bhatt earned Rs 15 crore for Darlings. Saif Ali Khan stands out with a reported fee of over Rs 25 crore for Tandav.
Reflecting on her journey, Priyanka shared, “My journey has been pretty long. It started when I was just seventeen. I have never been to a film school so whatever I am today, I owe it to the Hindi film industry because my foundation in acting started from here. My country trained me in such a way that I never had a problem adjusting in another industry because when I stepped into Hollywood, I knew my craft well.” She also talked about the pivotal role her parents played in her success, stating, “My parents have been my support system. I am glad that they never tried to cut my wings. They always supported me and they always allowed me to dream and assured me that they would be there for me. That is very important especially for the girls of our country. Because when a girl becomes independent, she can help the whole family grow and take care of the finances and again take care of her children. We need to encourage women as women need males as allies. A country can progress only when everybody is given the chance to move ahead and we shouldn’t forget that women are a very important part of it.”
