Bollywood, a term coined during the 1970s, is the world’s largest film industry. With India being the world’s movie-making capital, three times as many Bollywood films are released yearly compared to Hollywood. With the Mumbai Film Industry's popularity and the sheer number of movies produced, you can bet that its actors are making more money than most of us have ever dreamed of. This article looks at the 10 richest Bollywood actors, including the richest Bollywood actor of all time.
1. Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan Net Worth: $750 million
Shah Rukh Khan, otherwise known as the King of Bollywood, the “Baadshah of Bollywood,” and the initialism SRK, is the richest actor that Bollywood has ever seen. With a staggering net worth of $750 million (USD), Shah Rukh Khan is not only the richest actor in India but also the second richest actor in the world. Making his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana, he has played a lead or supporting role in 97 movies.
Shah Rukh Khan is the co-chairman of Red Chillies Entertainment, one of India's largest and most successful production houses. He is also the co-owner of the cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders and the Trinbago Knight Riders. As well as being a frequent television presenter and stage show performer, the King of Bollywood is not slowing down anytime soon.
2. Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan Net Worth: $400 million
With a net worth of $400 million, Amitabh Bachchan is our runner-up for richest actor in Bollywood. Amitabh Bachchan has starred in over 190 films and is regarded as one of the most influential actors in Bollywood history. Over his four-decade career, Amitabh Bachhan has also filled the roles of film producer, playback singer, TV host, and politician.
He has been honored with the civilian awards Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan by the Indian Government for his contributions to the arts. The Government of France has also honored him with the Knight of the Legion of honor, its highest civilian honor.
Amitabh Bachchan is known as the biggest Indian actor of the century, in addition to being the second richest Indian actor overall.
3. Salman Khan
Salman Khan Net Worth: $300 million
Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan is the third on our list of richest Bollywood actors, with a net worth of US $300 million. The son of screenwriter Salim Khan, this Indian actor found himself with one foot inside the Indian film industry from a young age. He made his acting debut in Biwi Ho To Aisi in 1988 and went on to star in dozens of Hindi films. Salman Khan is one of the most successful actors in Indian cinema. He is also a television personality, film producer, and real estate investor, with his real estate portfolio alone being worth over $100 million.
While this Bollywood actor has seen incredible success in his career, he is also known for his legal troubles. Salman Khan is currently out on bail for a 1998 blackbuck poaching case, in which he was sentenced to five years in prison.
4. Akshay Kumar
Net Worth: $250 million
Close behind Salman Khan is Indian actor Akshay Kumar, born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, with an estimated net worth of $250 million. Akshay Kumar is known for his work in South Indian and Bollywood cinema and is also a successful martial artist. Akshay Kumar began his 30-year-long career in 1991 with the romantic-action film, Saugandh.
This Indian actor was named by Forbes as one of the highest-paid actors in the world, putting him at number 52 with earnings of $48.5 million. He was the only Bollywood actor to be named on the list. In 2020, he was named by Forbes again as the highest-paid Bollywood actor.
5. Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan Net Worth: US$205 million
Aamir Khan, otherwise known as “Mr. Perfectionist,” is one of the wealthiest Bollywood actors of all time, with a net worth of $205 million. This Bollywood actor, producer, and film director is the son of film producer Tahir Hussain and got his start in film at a young age.
Aamir Khan is fondly dubbed “Mr. Perfectionist” for his preference for quality over quantity in his films, as he has taken on significantly fewer roles than other popular Bollywood actors. This Indian actor’s social commentary films made a big splash in Indian cinema, and his 2016 film Dangal still ranks as the highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
6. Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan Net Worth: $100 million
Due to his sleek dancing physique, this famous Bollywood actor has been given the name the “Greek God of Bollywood” by his fans. With a net worth of $100 million, Hrithik Roshan is one of the richest Bollywood stars and has a career spanning over 20 years.
Born into film due to his producer, director, and actor father, Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan made appearances as a child actor in the 1980s and assisted his father in directing four films before starring in 2000’s romantic-action film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. Hrithik Roshan made his television debut in 2011’s reality show Just Dance, where he was the highest-paid film star featured on Indian television.
7. Ranveer Singh
Ranveer Singh Net Worth: $44 million
Next on our list of richest Bollywood actors is Indian actor and TV show host Ranveer Singh. With a net worth of $44 million, he is the recipient of a Filmfare award for best actor, among many others. Making his acting debut in the romantic comedy Band Baaja Baaraat in 2010, Ranveer Singh’s immediate success has earned him an incredibly successful career in the Indian film industry.
Married to one of the highest-paid actresses in India, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh endorses several big products and brands. From Colgate to Nivea to Bingo Snacks, you can expect to see this Indian actor and his incredibly successful wife everywhere.
8. Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor Net Worth: $42 million
With a net worth of $42 million is Ranbir Kapoor, who is known as one of Bollywood’s most sought-after stars. Currently one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood, Ranbir Kapoor has been featured several times in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100.
While Ranbir Kapoor gets paid top dollar for his leading roles in film, he accepts no less than US$800,000 per day for endorsement deals. With endorsement deals with big names like Pepsi and Panasonic, Ranbir Kapoor has been known to be involved in 10 endorsement deals or more at a time.
9. Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan Net Worth: US$40 million
Born into the spotlight due to actress mother Sharmila Tagore and cricketer father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, it was only natural that Saif Ali Khan would become a success. However, this did not happen overnight, as this Indian actor’s early attempts at making it big did not amount to much.
With a net worth of US$40 million, Saif Ali Khan did not achieve his first box office hit until 2000, despite beginning his career in the early ’90s. Khan has won one National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards and received the fourth highest Indian civilian award, Padma Shri, in 2010. This Indian actor is married to successful Indian actress Kareena Kapoor.
10. Mithun Chakraborty
Mithun Chakraborty Net Worth: $38 million
Mithun Chakraborty is last on our list of the richest Bollywood actors, with a net worth of $38 million. Born Gouranga Chakraborty, this Indian actor’s career spans decades. Making his acting debut in the drama Mrigayaa in 1976, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for this role. Mithun Chakraborty has starred in at least 135 movies and released his most recent project, The Kashmir Files, earlier this year.
