When streaming services first launched in India, the content was relatively modest, primarily consisting of short micro-episodes available for free on YouTube. However, with the emergence of OTT platforms, the production of original content expanded significantly, featuring larger budgets and well-known actors. Saif Ali Khan took the lead in Netflix's Sacred Games, while Vivek Oberoi starred in Prime Video's Inside Edge. Consequently, these prominent actors commanded substantial fees. As more high-profile names entered the OTT arena, the compensation for stars escalated dramatically, with some demanding over ₹100 crore for a single season.

India's highest-paid OTT star

In 2021, Ajay Devgn was cast in the Indian version of the acclaimed British series, Luther. Stepping into the role originally played by Idris Elba, Ajay portrayed a morally complex police officer in Rudra: Edge of Darkness. According to Bollywood Hungama, he received an impressive ₹125 crore for the seven-episode season, translating to approximately ₹18 crore per episode, marking the highest fee ever recorded in Indian entertainment.

The significance of this payment is underscored by the fact that top stars were not earning such amounts for films at that time. Reports indicated that Shah Rukh Khan received between ₹90 and ₹100 crore for his films Raees and Zero, while Salman Khan earned a similar figure for Bharat. Ajay Devgn's elevated fees were justified by the extended runtime of the series, as the seven episodes were considered equivalent to two feature films. Additionally, Bollywood Hungama noted that the agreement included various cross-promotional activities for the Star Network, such as promotional shoots, social media engagements, and appearances on reality shows.

Other big OTT stars

Considering that no actor of Ajay Devgn's caliber has participated in a fictional series on Indian streaming platforms, it is not surprising that he ranks as the highest-paid OTT star in India. According to reports, Saif Ali Khan follows closely behind, having received ₹15-20 crore for his role in Sacred Games season 2. Additionally, Varun Dhawan is said to have earned between ₹12-15 crore for his performance in Citadel: Honey Bunny. GQ has indicated that actors such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu received fees ranging from ₹5-10 crore for their prominent roles in major shows.

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