There is no denying the fact that every actor who lands in Mumbai wants to make it big on silver screen because movies make your name etched in people’s memory forever. Having said that, the small screen offers ample opportunities as well as big money too. There is a long list of actors who have built fortunes of legendary proportions by working on TV. highest-paid actors Here is the list of top 10 highest-paid actors on Indian television.
Kapil Sharma
Kapil Sharma is one of the finest stand-up comedians the world has ever seen. Coming from nothing, he began his career by participating in the reality stand-up-comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. He also won several seasons of Sony Entertainment Television’s Comedy Circus before landing his own show The Comedy Nights with Kapil on Colors. Currently, he is busy hosting The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony TV and takes home a fat paycheque of ₹ 60 to 80 lakhs.
Sunil Grover
Sunil Grover is yet another successful comedian the Indian television has ever produced. He collaborated with Kapil Sharma on his maiden show Comedy Nights with Kapil and spring-boarded to fame by playing the character of Gutthi on the show. He joined forces with Kapil Sharma again for The Kapil Sharma Show. Currently busy doing films, Sunil Grover reportedly charges ₹ 10 to 12 lakh per day.
Hina Khan
Hina Khan shot to fame after playing the lead character of Akshara Singhania in Star Plus’ long-running show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. The show did not only make her a household name across the country, but also one of the highest-paid actresses on Indian television. She would charge anywhere between 80,000 to 1,00,000. We hear that post her stint on a controversial reality show, her renumeration shot up to a whopping ₹ 2 lakh per episode. Last seen in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, the actress is presently busy doing films.
Mishal Raheja
Mishal Raheja is known for such successful shows as Ishq ka Rang Safed and Laagi Tujhse Lagan. The incredibly shy actor always remains in demand and is one of the highest-paid television actors. As per reports, his fee per episode ranges from ₹ 1.5 to 1.6 lakh per episode.
Ronit Roy
Rohit Roy is one of the few actors who made a crossover to television from films. He is often regarded as Mr Bachchan of the small screen. Ekta Kapoor’s hit shows Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay changed his fortune forever and established him as one of the most formidable actors in the Indian television space. Roy charges ₹ 1.25 lakh per day.
Ram Kapoor
Just like Ronit Roy, Ram Kapoor too needs no introduction. He is known for delivering sterling performances in such Ekta Kapoor’s shows as Kasamh Se and Bade Acche Lagte Hain. He takes home ₹ 1.25 to ₹ 1.50 per day. Apart from television, he keeps appearing in films and digital shows every now and then.
Karan Patel
Karan Patel is a Balaji Telefilms regular. Ever since starting his acting career, he has mostly worked with Ekta Kapoor’s production house. The actor debuted on the small screen with Kapoor’s long-running show Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki. However, it is her yet another offering Yeh Hai Mohabbatein which brought him immense appreciation and truckloads of awards. Karan Patel takes home a paycheque of ₹ 1 to 1.25 lakh per day.
Divyanka Tripathi
She has been ruling the Indian television space for quite a long time now. Divyanka Tripathi tasted huge success with the ZEE TV show Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, and later starred in Ekta Kapoor’s Yeh Hai Mohabbatein which airs on Star Plus. Reportedly, the actress is paid ₹ 1-1.5 lakh per episode. In 2018, Divyanka was ranked 94 in Forbes' Highest Earning Indian Celebs, with a whopping earning of ₹ 7.80 crores.
Sakshi Tanwar
Sakshi Tanwar is one of the most popular faces on Indian television. She has done several shows in her two-decade-long career. However, it was Ekta Kapoor’s Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki which established her as one of the most popular television actresses of all times. Tanwar charges ₹ 1.25 lakh per episode.
Mohit Raina
Whenever someone mentions the name of television hunk Mohit Raina, the first image that pops up in everybody’s mind is of his Shiva avatar which he donned in Triangle Films’ immensely popular mythological show Devon Ka Dev, Mahadev. The show catapulted him to superstardom on Indian television. The actor is currently busy exploring films and web-shows and charges a decent sum of ₹ 1 lakh per day.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.