When it comes to monies, it’s not Shah Rukh Khan or Allu Arjun, but SS Rajamouli who stands tall as the true-blue heavyweight of Indian cinema. According to IMDb, Rajamouli is India’s highest-paid director, commanding a staggering Rs 200 crore for every film he directs. This includes his advance fees, profit share, and a bonus that accrues with the sale of the film’s rights across platforms. And if the film is a success and a money-spinner, his share only goes higher.
“When discussing his compensation, it is essential to recognise that the Rs 200 crore figure encompasses not only his direct fees but also profit-sharing arrangements and performance bonuses tied to box office success. This structure reflects the immense value he brings to a project.
A Rajamouli film is not just a movie; it is an event that draws massive audiences, generates significant revenue, and often leads to long-term franchise potential. Investors and studios understand that his involvement is a guarantee of quality and commercial success, making every penny spent on his talent an investment rather than an expense,” says movie analyst Girish Wankhede.
“SS Rajamouli is arguably the greatest filmmaker India has ever produced. His name alone guarantees a box office juggernaut. He has single-handedly put Indian cinema on the global map. He deserves to be the highest-paid artist in the industry, twice as much as any actor, period!” says trade analyst Sumit Kadel.
According to exhibitors, Rajamouli’s remarkable contributions to Indian cinema have undeniably positioned him as a titan. Post Baahubali, the filmmaker established himself as a brand to reckon with, so much so that even RRR was marketed as a Rajamouli film beyond Southern markets, despite the presence of stars like Jr NTR and Ram Charan. Any film mounted in his name garners instant attention.
“His stature transcends that of conventional film stars; he has become a brand in his own right. When audiences think of epic storytelling, grand visuals, and innovative filmmaking, they think of RRR and Baahubali — not merely as films starring popular actors, but as monumental works of art that bear the unmistakable imprint of S.S. Rajamouli,” adds Wankhede.
According to IMDb, superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan take home Rs 150 to Rs 180 crore per film, including their share of profits. But Rajamouli’s Baahubali 1 and 2 continue to be among the highest-grossing films of all time. It wasn’t until 2023 that Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan surpassed the Rs 510 crore Hindi box office collection of Baahubali 2.
“In the landscape of global cinema, Rajamouli stands as India’s answer to directors like James Cameron, who are renowned for their groundbreaking work in visual effects and storytelling. Just as Cameron redefined the action and adventure genres with films like Avatar, Rajamouli is reshaping the Indian cinematic experience, bringing forth stories that are both culturally rich and universally appealing. His films evoke a sense of pride in Indian storytelling traditions while simultaneously appealing to a global audience,” says Wankhede.
While makers like Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty, who produce their own films, often forgo a fee and rely solely on profits, most other top directors — including Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Sanjay Leela Bhansali — fall in the Rs 40 to Rs 90 crore bracket. That makes SS Rajamouli not just one of India’s highest-paid directors, but also one of its biggest superstars.
