Meet 90s highest-paid star, charged Rs 1 crore per film, name is..., not Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth
Meet 90s highest-paid star, charged Rs 1 crore per film, name is..., not Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth
Today, we will highlight the journey of this superstar who stepped away from Bollywood after starring in three Hindi films, to later found superstardom in South Indian cinema. In 90s, his success overthrew Amitabh Bachchan, and became the highest-paid stars in the country. He is none other than megastar Chiranjeevi, who is undoubtedly, one of the biggest names in Telugu cinema. How Chiranjeevi became the highest-paid actor in 90s?
An old cover of the Week Magazine, dating back in 1992, headlined Chiranjeevi as the cover boy, with the title that screamed: 'Bigger than Bachchan'. The magazine reported that Chiranjeevi had broken the Rs 1 crore barrier by charging Rs 1.25 crore for film Aapadbandhavudu . At that time, Big B had taken a hiatus from films, which meant Chiranjeevi took over his spot, and became the highest-paid Indian actor. Reportedly, other top stars such as Rajinikanth, Sunny Deol, Govinda used to charge Rs 50 to Rs 60 lakh per film. After Chiranjeevi, who all entered the Rs 1 crore club?
After Chiranjeevi, Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth too entered the club as they charged Rs 1 crore per film. Moreover, Amitabh Bachchan, upon his return to films, became the first Bollywood actor to charge Rs 1 crore per film.
The late 90s saw a shift in power dynamics and economics of India cinema. By the end, the three top Bollywood stars- Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan began charging more- commanding Rs 2-3 crore per films.
It was in late 1980s, Chiranjeevi's remarkable career solidified his position as one of the biggest names in Indian cinema. He worked in over 150 films as an actor, dancer and producer, and was reportedly dubbed as 'The New Money Machine' in 90s after delivering 14 consecutive hits in a year.
Currently, Chiranjeevi's net worth is estimated to be around Rs 1650 crore, thanks to his prolific career and remarkable legacy in Indian cinema.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dulquer Salmaan on why his father Mammootty pulls him up
Dulquer Salmaan discusses the humorous contrast between his work style and his father Mammootty's, where his father playfully chides him for taking on lengthy projects. He also shares how his wife, Amal Sufiya, remains unfazed by his celebrity, viewing him simply as her husband with an ordinary job. This keeps him grounded despite his stardom. Dulquer Salmaan may be one of the most admired names in Indian cinema today, straddling Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi industries with ease. From romantic dramas like OK Kanmani and Sita Ramam to edgy thrillers like Kurup and Lucky Bhaskar, the actor has consistently proved his versatility. And while his professional life might be brimming with big-ticket projects, it turns out his biggest critics — and his most grounded relationships — are at home. In a interview he gave in 2023, Dulquer opened up about how his legendary father, actor Mammootty , still struggles to understand his son's work choices and pace. 'Dad is funny,' Dulquer laughed, adding, 'He still does about five films a year, back to back. And here I am, doing these long, drawn-out projects that take anywhere between eight to ten months. He just can't wrap his head around why a film should take this long.' In fact, Mammootty's reactions are so typically fatherly that they're almost comedic. 'He's told me, 'If you're going to do one film a year, don't bother coming home,'' Dulquer shared with a grin. The friendly father-son banter, however, comes from a place of love and mutual respect, even if their approaches to work differ vastly. While Mammootty continues to be one of the busiest actors in Malayalam cinema. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo . Interestingly, it's not just his father who keeps Dulquer grounded. His wife, Amal Sufiya, seems largely unimpressed by the trappings of stardom too. Dulquer revealed that even today, Amal hasn't fully processed the fact that she's married to a movie star. 'For her, I'm just a guy who goes to work and comes back,' Dulquer said with a smile. 'In fact, in the first two-three years of our marriage, if someone came up and asked me for a picture, she'd turn to me and ask, 'Why do they want a picture with you?' and I'd have to remind her that I'm an actor. ' The actor finds this disconnection rather endearing. 'She's so detached sometimes. For her, she knows what I'm like at home — unfiltered, lazy, and unglamorous. People only see the groomed version of me.'
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Panchayat' actor sold cotton for Rs 100, worked in factories; today he charges lakhs for a season
Amazon Prime's beloved series Panchayat has struck a deep chord across India for its charming and witty depiction of rural life. Unlike conventional dramas that rest on a single protagonist, Panchayat thrives on the ensemble cast, each character contributing meaningfully to the fabric of the narrative. Among these, one surprising breakout star has been Ashok Pathak, who plays the quirky and now-iconic character 'Binod'. His catchphrase from the show, turned viral meme—" Dekh raha hai Binod" —catapulted him to online stardom. But while his onscreen presence may seem lighthearted, Ashok's offscreen story is one of deep hardship, relentless ambition, and eventual triumph. Humble Beginnings in Bihar Born on January 3, 1985, in the remote village of Darveshpur in Siwan district, Bihar, Ashok Pathak grew up in conditions of extreme financial scarcity. As per a Bollywood Shaadis report, his father worked in intense heat as a fireman in coal furnaces, while his uncle earned a living selling cotton. As a child, Ashok saw these men toil daily, their earnings just enough to keep their household afloat. Despite such struggles, Ashok nurtured dreams that extended far beyond his village—he wanted to be an actor. But his aspirations were often mocked by peers who doubted his looks and potential. Still, the criticisms only fuelled his resolve. Teenage Struggles: Cotton Seller and Factory Worker As a young teenager in the 9th grade, Ashok began contributing to the household income. In an India Today interview, he recounted how he cycled nearly 20 kilometers a day to sell cotton, earning merely Rs 100 per trip. As per a Bollywood Shaadis report, he also took up temporary jobs in factories, juggling school and work at a young age. His early years were marked by mischief as well—he admitted to picking up habits like smoking and chewing tobacco. Life was demanding, but his dream of acting never faded. Rejection at NSD and Turning Point Later, his family shifted to Hisar, Haryana, hoping for a better future. There, Ashok completed his secondary education and joined college. During his college years, his circumstances improved slightly, and he began acting in stage plays—eventually bagging the Best Actor award. This victory encouraged him to aim higher. He applied to the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), a dream institution that has produced talents like Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, and Durgesh Kumar—all of whom would later become his co-stars. In a 2023 interview with The Hindustan Times , he revealed that despite trying twice, his application to NSD was rejected. The rejection devastated him. He sank into a deep emotional slump, feeling as though his dreams had hit a dead end. But his father's unwavering support rekindled his determination, urging him to try his luck in Mumbai. A Long Climb: From Advertisements to Obscurity Although he initially took a corporate job, Ashok soon joined the Bharatendu Natya Academy in 2007. After directing a video that earned him Rs 40,000, he made his move to Mumbai. There, he picked up small gigs—working briefly for Sony Max for Rs 2,500 and later earning Rs 70,000 from a Domino's Pizza commercial, a sum he had never imagined. His film debut came with Bittoo Boss in 2012, but the film failed, pushing him back into the shadows of the industry. He was regularly cast in minor roles—rickshaw drivers, security guards, and other nameless characters—failing to break out of typecasting. By 2014, work had dried up even further, forcing him to explore the Punjabi film space. He also appeared briefly in series like Sacred Games and Aarya, but the roles remained marginal. The Reluctant Star of Panchayat When the casting call for 'Binod' in Panchayat Season 2 came, Ashok was initially hesitant. The role sounded too similar to the bit parts he'd been offered for years. He told India Today that he kept delaying the audition, not wanting to be overlooked yet again. But his friends in the casting department persisted, and he eventually gave in. What followed changed his life. His portrayal of Binod struck a chord with the audience, transforming him into a household name overnight. Financial Breakthrough and Recognition According to a 2024 report by Koimoi , Ashok's earnings from Panchayat Season 2 soared—he was paid Rs 20,000 per episode, totaling approximately Rs 3.2 lakh. This was a massive leap from his early acting days when he had earned Rs 1.4 lakh for the Domino's commercial. His work in the show not only gave him financial stability but also the respect and recognition he had longed for throughout his career. What Unfolds in Season 4? Panchayat Season 4 introduces a gripping local election storyline where Manju Devi and Kranti Devi compete to become the next village head. Their husbands—Pradhan Ji and Banrakas—take center stage in a fierce and comical campaign. The season weaves in themes of rivalry, companionship, and rural politics with a delicate emotional thread. Viewers witness the pain of loneliness, quiet grief, and the strength of community bonds. With its signature humour and soul, the season ends with several open-ended threads—Abhishek's uncertain future, Prahlad's silent sorrow, and the shifting dynamics of power in Phulera—leaving audiences craving more. Ashok Pathak's journey from the dusty roads of Darveshpur to the digital spotlight as Binod is a powerful reminder of how resilience, patience, and passion can pave the road from anonymity to acclaim.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Aamir Khan revisits the time Shah Rukh Khan and he called each other ‘chichora': ‘Maybe he was upset with me'
Bollywood superstars Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan are thick as thieves now. However, there was a time when the Khans also didn't get along. Recently, in an interview with Lallantop, Aamir opened up about a time when he and SRK were at loggerheads. During the interview, when he was reminded how they called each other 'chichora', Aamir explained how they have evolved over the years and shared a good friendship today. Talking about his past equation with Shah Rukh, Aamir said, 'I hadn't known Shah Rukh so much that time, we would keep meeting often, we even hung out together back then at either of our places.' He was reminded how he had written a vlog from a farmhouse in Panchgani, stating that Shah Rukh was licking his feet, and later went on to clarify that he referred to the farmhouse owner's dog, who was named after the actor. Aamir went on to point out, 'SRK often keeps making jokes on me, every year there are award functions and I don't go to them, but they keep making fun of me.' During the release of 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan had gone all out in promoting the film; he had donned several get-ups and was visiting every part of the country. Around the same time, My Name Is Khan was awaiting release, and when SRK was asked about Aamir's promotional strategy for 3 Idiots during an interview, he said, 'I regret to use this word, but it's a kind of 'chichorapan'. I wouldn't go to this extent to promote my film. There is a way to market every film, and we too will have a unique strategy to promote our film.' Also Read: Aamir Khan reveals he got invitation from underworld to attend Dubai party in '90s: 'I said I won't go, unless you take me forcibly' When Aamir learned about SRK's comment, he had said in response, 'SRK is a sensible man, if I am going to different parts of the country and he finds that chichora what can I say, that's his opinion and I don't agree with it. For me, it was an important experience as a human being, and it will bring growth to me. As far as chichorapan is concerned, Shah Rukh might know better about it because he does a lot of it in his life; he is an expert at all this.' Talking about their friendship now, Aamir said they often meet. 'We often make plans to catch up, and we never stop at one drink. When we sit together, it is usually till morning, 7 am, not just with Salman but with Shah Rukh too. This has happened eight to 10 times till now.' On the work front, Aamir Khan was last seen in Sitaare Zameen Par. The film has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office.
