Kannada superstar Rishabh Shetty has transitioned as a multi-talented star, from courting regional success to commanding a pan-Indian presence. Following the phenomenal success of his 2025 prequel, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, which shattered records across languages, Shetty’s market value has skyrocketed. Industry reports now highlight a staggering 2400% salary hike, firmly placing him in the elite club of India’s highest-paid actors.
Rishab Shetty ‘s massive pay hike
According to Filmibeat, Shetty, who served as the writer, director and lead actor was paid approximately Rs. 4 crore for the original film. Following its massive global haul of over Rs. 400 crore, his remuneration for the prequel, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, has reportedly surged by an astounding 2,400%.This puts his current earnings at nearly Rs. 100 crore, a figure that not only highlights his transition into the industry’s elite A list club but also highlights his a pan-India appeal.
Rishab Shetty’s bigger earnings with ‘Kantara Chapter 1 ‘
Apart from the high salary, reportedly Rishab Shetty also entered into a profit-sharing deal with the production house. Shetty reportedly clinched an additional remuneration of Rs. 50 crore which was dependent on the film’s box office performance. Thus, it signifies that he will earn even more from ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’. Such lucrative deals are typically reserved for the industry’s biggest A-list stars. The numbers certainly back up this status; data from Sacnilk confirms that the prequel has been a massive global hit, grossing over Rs. 845 crore worldwide. Produced on a budget of roughly Rs. 125 crore, the movie generated incredible profits, earning more than Rs. 622 crore in India alone alongside an impressive international ticket sales.
What’s next for Rishab Shetty?
‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ was mounted on a significantly more ambitious front, featuring larger-than-life cinematography and high-octane action sequences coupled amid a rich mythological backdrop. The film’s immense production value was highlighted by a monumental war sequence that utilized nearly 3,000 crew members and 500 professionally trained fighters.Next up, Rishab Shetty will be seen playing Lord Hanuman in Prasanth Varma’s ‘Jai Hanuman.’ He has also announced his role in the historical film ‘The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,’ which is planned for release in 2027.DISCLAIMER: Figures presented in this article are derived from various public sources and are considered approximate unless explicitly noted. We may include direct input from celebrities or their teams when available. We are open to feedback on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.
