Priyanka Chopra has once again rewritten the rules of the Indian film industry. Despite not starring in an Indian movie for six years, she has now become the highest-paid actress in the country. According to reports, she is charging £2.7 million (₹30 crore) for her upcoming film with SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu. This puts her ahead of Bollywood’s top stars like Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor.
Actor salaries in Indian cinema have always been a topic of speculation, but Priyanka’s latest paycheck has confirmed a major shift. Traditionally, male actors dominate the highest-paid list, with stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan earning £9 million (₹100 crore) per film. However, Priyanka’s new deal shows that female actors are closing the gap.
Priyanka Chopra surpasses Deepika and Alia to become the highest-paid Indian actressGetty Images
Previously, Deepika Padukone held the title for highest-paid actress, earning £1.8 million (₹20 crore) for Kalki 2898 AD. Alia Bhatt, another leading name, reportedly charges around £1.3 million (₹15 crore) per film. Other top actresses like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu make around £900K+ (₹10 crore+) or more per project.
Priyanka has been away from Indian films since The Sky Is Pink and before that Jai Gangaajal. Instead of just focusing on Bollywood, she built a strong career in Hollywood, starring in The White Tiger, The Matrix Resurrections, and Amazon Prime’s Citadel, for which she reportedly earned £4 million+ (₹41 crore). She also has Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena lined up for release.
The Bollywood-Hollywood icon secures a historic £2.7M (₹30 crore) dealGetty Images
Her return with SS Rajamouli’s untitled project, tentatively named as SSMB29, is a major moment for Indian cinema. The film also marks her comeback to South Indian films after more than two decades. A source close to the project revealed that finalising her role took time because she refused to lower her fee and rightfully so, considering male actors regularly demand much higher amounts.
Apart from acting, Priyanka is a global icon. She is a UNICEF ambassador, producer, and entrepreneur. Her reported net worth of £55 million (₹650 crore) reflects her diverse career spanning Bollywood, Hollywood, and multiple top brand endorsements.
The actress returns after six years with a record paycheckGetty Images
With her return to Indian cinema, he isn’t just making a comeback but also setting a new benchmarks for female actors in Indian films.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.