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Kamal Haasan: From Rs 500 to Rs 150 Cr Paycheck
14 Jul
Summary
- Started career with Rs 500, now earns up to Rs 150 crore.
- Pioneered profit-sharing deals, earning more than fixed salaries.
- Inspired many stars with early adoption of business strategies.
Kamal Haasan, a stalwart of Indian cinema, has achieved remarkable financial success throughout his six-decade career. His journey began as a child artist in the 1960s, reportedly earning Rs 500 for his debut. By 1975, as a lead actor, his remuneration grew to Rs 5,000, steadily increasing through the 1980s and early 1990s.
In a groundbreaking move in 1994, Haasan is reported to have become the first Indian actor to earn Rs 1 crore for the film 'Mahanadhi.' He soon transitioned to more lucrative revenue-sharing models, famously opting for distribution rights for 'Avvai Shanmugi' instead of a Rs 1.5 crore salary, which reportedly netted him around Rs 5 crore.
His earnings continued to climb, with figures nearing Rs 130 crore for 'Kalki 2898 AD' and an estimated Rs 150 crore for its sequel. Beyond films, Haasan's television stint as the host of Bigg Boss Tamil also saw him earning approximately Rs 130 crore per season.
Haasan's early adoption of profit-sharing and distribution deals is widely credited as one of his smartest business decisions, inspiring a new wave of financial strategies within the Indian film industry. His upcoming projects include 'Thug Life' and a role alongside Rajinikanth in 'KHxRK'.
