With the theatres being closed since the lockdown of 2020, a new phase has started knocking the audience. That new phase is the increasing demand of web series and movie releases on popular OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Zee 5 and more. At first, the web series releasing involved cast who weren’t playing lead or prominent roles in mainstream Bollywood. Mostly actors from the Television industry and new upcoming actors were prominently cast in web series.
But with the change in wind, leading Bollywood actors have also started starring in web series. The most recent ones to join the hurdle are Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Madhuri Dixit. But how much do these stars earn through OTT, is it as much as they earn in movies? Know here the salary of these prominent OTT Bollywood actors, and how this platform has helped them boost their career.
1. Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan made his debut in the OTT platform with Netflix Original series, Sacred Games. Although he would like to call it ‘online streaming content’ and not a ‘web series’. He charged a whopping amount of 15 crores for 8 episodes of the series. And this series also helped him get back on track with a successful project, as his recent movie weren’t working at the Box office as such. Sacred Games has 2 seasons till now. After Sacred Games, Saif came back with another OTT release, Tandav. Although Tandav received mixed reviews from the audience, as it may have hurt the religious sentiments of a section of the society.
2. Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol recently made a comeback with Race 3, but it faced a lot of criticism; but that didn’t stop him. He went on to star in MX Original series Aashram. The series not only boost up his career and brought him back on track, it also helped him win Best Actor- – Web Series awards at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2021. And now the series is critically acclaimed and bagging the Landmark OTT Show at the 20th Indian Television Academy Awards 2021.
3. Manoj Bajpai
Manoj Bajpai has been in the Bollywood industry for more than 2 decades now. And his series, Amazon Prime original The Family Man helped him boost his career, as well as highlighted him in the brighter side on camera. He’s already an accomplished actor, with amazing acting skills. For his series The Family Man, he has charged 25 lac per episode for the second season. The series has 2 seasons till now, the second season released on June 4.
4. Priyamani
Priyamani works predominantly for Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada language movies. She also appeared in Chennai Express(2013), starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in the lead. Priyamani was in the song One Two Three, of the movie. She rose to popularity in North India after starring in Amazon Prime series, The Family Man. In the series she plays the role of Manoj Bajpai’s wife, Suchi. And for this role she charged 10 lac per episode for the second season, with total 9 episodes in the season.
5. Pankaj Tripathi
Pankaj Tripathi is on his peak of the career at the moment. With back to back prominent roles in series as well as film, his amazing performance has left the fans spellbound. Pankaj is seen in lead and prominent roles in series like Sacred Games, Mirzapur, Kaagaz and many more prominent series. For Sacred Games he charged a whopping 12 crores for one season and in Mirzapur he charged 10 crores.
6. Ali Fasal
After working in movies like Khamoshiyan and Fukrey, Ali Fazal was still away from gaining the fame and appreciation he deserved. That’s when Mirzapur came along his way. Allegedly he was first offered the role of Munna Tripathi, which was later on played by Divyendu Sharma. Ali went on to play Guddu Pandit, and charged 12 lac per episode for the second season. Mirzapur is the series that increased his recognition and credibility as well.
7. Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Nawazuddin is yet another actor who took his time in rising to fame due to lack of opportunities. But the films he did after 2010 was what brought him to fame, movies like Gangs of Wasseypur 2 and many more. Along with award-winning movie Manjhi. He recently starred in a number of Netflix produced projects including films like Raat Akeli Hai and popular series Sacred Games. For the latter he charged an amount of 10 crores for one season.
8. Radhika Apte
Sometimes it seems like Netflix has taken up a copyright on Radhika Apte! Radhika Apte is one of the first Bollywood actresses who began working in the OTT platform. She has done several OTT movies as well as series like Lust stories, Sacred Games, Ghoul and Raat Akeli Hai. She is at time called “The typical Netflix girl”. And for Sacred Games she charged a total of 4 crores.
9. Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Kapadia is a newbie to the OTT series. Although she did appear from time to time in movies like Dabangg. She recently starred in the political drama, starring Saif Ali Khan in the lead alongside her, Tandav. For Tandav she charged upto 2 Lac per episode. She recently also starred in Christopher Nolan’s Hollywood movie, Tenet.
10. Pratik Gandhi
Pratik Gandhi rose to fame with his series Scam 1992, which became one of the best web series. It was loved both by the critics as well as fans for the storyline as well as amazing portrayal of characters by respective actors. He charged 5 lac per episode. Scam 1992 streams on SonyLiv.
11. Samantha Akkineni
Samantha Akkineni made her OTT debut with the popular Amazon series, The Family Man Season 2. She can be seen playing the antagonist in the movie. Although she’s a main stream South Indian Actress, this series also marks her debut in Bollywood. She charged 8 lac per episode.
12. Sunil Grover
Sunil Grover has been a star even before he started doing web series. His prominent role in Gabbar is back, as well as famous character Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Gutthi and others from The Kapil Sharma Show are quite popular. He was also seen in a prominent role in Tandav, where he charged 5 lacs per episode. And his new upcoming series Sunflower started streaming from 11 June on Zee5. As he’s playing the lead in this thriller-drama, it’s obvious that he’s charging more than he did in Tandav.
Other Prominent Actors who made it big through OTT:
13. Rasika Duggal: Mirzapur(1&2) 2 lac per episode
14. Gauhar Khan: Tandav– 3 lac per episode
15. Kulbhushan Kharbanda: Mirzapur(1&2) 3 Lac per episode
16. Divyendu Sharma: Mirzapur(1&2) 5 lac per episode