- Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Deepika Padukone sets a new benchmark in Indian cinema with a $2.4 million paycheck for Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, starring Prabhas. The massive fee surpasses even her husband Ranveer Singh’s recent earnings.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
After the thunderous success of Animal, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga is back in the spotlight with his next big venture, Spirit—a high-octane cop action entertainer starring Prabhas. But this time, the spotlight isn’t only on the scale of the film or its leading man—it’s firmly on Deepika Padukone.
According to India Today, Deepika has signed on as the female lead opposite Prabhas in Spirit and will reportedly be earning a staggering $2.4 million (approx. ₹20 crore) for her role. This makes it the biggest paycheck of her career and officially crowns her the highest-paid actress in Indian cinema.
Industry insiders reveal that Deepika’s fee surpasses that of her husband, Ranveer Singh, for his recent projects—an eye-opening benchmark in the industry. Her deal not only highlights her rising market value but also signifies a broader shift toward equal pay for leading women in Bollywood.
This milestone comes at a time when female actors are slowly starting to command fees closer to their male counterparts. Earlier, it was reported that Shraddha Kapoor is receiving $2.04 million (approx. ₹17 crore) plus a share of profits for her next film, directed by Tumbbad filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve. A trade insider told Bollywood Hungama, “This is among the highest upfront fees for any actress today. Ekta Kapoor was happy to spend $2 million on Shraddha since the film follows her massive hit Stree 2.”
Still, Deepika’s $2.4 million deal sets a new industry precedent. With a lineup of box-office successes—including Pathaan, a cameo in Jawan, and the recent sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan—her career shows no signs of slowing down.
Spirit will reunite Deepika and Prabhas after Kalki 2898 AD and is expected to go on floors in October 2025. With Vanga’s growing reputation for edgy, crowd-pleasing cinema and Deepika’s pan-India stardom, the film is already creating enormous buzz.
While fans eagerly await more details on the project, Deepika Padukone’s record-breaking salary is more than just a number—it’s a landmark moment for Bollywood’s evolving pay structure and a testament to the star power leading women can bring to the big screen.
