Top 10 Richest South Indian Actresses Ranked by Net Worth and Per-Film Fee

A new generation of South Indian actresses is earning fees once reserved only for male superstars.

From Sai Pallavi’s Ramayana jump to Nayanthara’s unmatched wealth, these names lead the richest list of 2025.

Here is the complete breakdown of the top 10 highest-paid South Indian actresses and what makes them unstoppable today.

Top 10 Richest South Indian Actresses Based on the Net Worth – 2025 

Here are the estimated net worths of South Indian actresses as of December 2025, according to various financial reports and news sources: 

Source- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/, www.zee5.com

Overview of the Top 10 Highest Paid South Indian Actresses (2025)

(A complete look at the highest-paid and richest South Indian actresses with updated earnings and roles.)

1. Jyothika

Jyothika’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹331 crore, placing her among the richest South Indian actresses. 

Jyotika began her acting journey in 1998 with the Hindi film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, but gained immense popularity and stardom in Tamil cinema following her debut in Vaali in 1999. 

Her expressive acting and versatile roles quickly established her as a leading actress in the early 2000s, where she became known for balancing both commercial hits and performance-oriented cinema. Her wealth comes from her long film career, strong brand endorsements, and successful production ventures. She reportedly charges between ₹1.5 crore and ₹3.5 crore per movie.

2. Nayanthara

Nayanthara, often hailed as the “Lady Superstar,” is one of the most powerful names in South Indian cinema.
She started her career with the Malayalam film Manassinakkare (2004) and later dominated the Tamil and Telugu industries. She is loved for strong female-led films such as Aramm and CoCo Kokila. Her Bollywood debut in Jawan took her popularity nationwide. She is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid South Indian actresses.

3. Anushka Shetty

Anushka Shetty is a towering name in the Telugu industry, widely recognised for her unmatched screen presence.
She began with Super in 2005 but became an international star with Baahubali, where her portrayal of Devasena became iconic. Her success in female-led films like Arundhati and Rudhramadevi adds to her stature as one of the most influential actresses in the South. With steady earnings and massive popularity, she holds a firm place in the list of South India’s richest actresses.

4. Tamannaah Bhatia

Tamannaah Bhatia began young and quickly earned recognition across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. She gained massive fame for her role as Avanthika in the Baahubali franchise. Over the years, she has built a strong career across films, OTT series, and brand endorsements.
Her wide appeal and commercial success make her a significant part of the top 10 highest-paid South Indian actresses, and her increasing brand work continues to raise her net worth.

5. Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is one of the most versatile names on this list of the top 10 South Indian actresses.
She made a memorable debut in Ye Maaya Chesave (2010) and has balanced powerful roles across Tamil and Telugu cinema. Her work in films like Mahanati, Oh! Baby and the critically acclaimed The Family Man 2 established her as an all-rounder. She continues expanding her global reach with Citadel: Honey Bunny, strengthening her position among the richest South Indian actresses.

6. Trisha Krishnan

A legendary name among South Indian actresses, Trisha Krishnan has been a constant force for over two decades in Tamil and Telugu cinema.
She began her journey with Mounam Pesiyadhe in 2002 and rose to iconic status. Her recent resurgence through Ponniyin Selvan (parts 1 and 2) and Leo brought her back into the top tier of earning actresses. With upcoming projects like Vishwambhara and Thug Life, Trisha remains one of the richest South Indian actresses today.

Also read: Top 10 South Indian richest actors in India!

7. Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika Mandanna is one of the fastest-rising stars in the list of the top 10 richest South Indian actresses. She debuted with Kirik Party in 2016 and soon became one of the most bankable actresses in the Telugu industry.
With hits like Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, and the phenomenal success of Pushpa, she has gained national fame. Her return as Srivalli in Pushpa: The Rule has positioned her among the highest-paid South Indian actresses, with fees varying depending on the franchise’s scale.

8. Pooja Hegde

Pooja Hegde started her journey with Mugamoodi in 2012 and soon became a favourite in the Telugu industry. She is known for her glamorous roles and dance performances in big commercial hits like Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo and Maharshi. She also has notable Hindi films to her credit.
As one of the consistent earners among the top 10 South Indian actresses, she commands respectable fees and remains in high demand for large-scale projects.

9. Sai Pallavi

Sai Pallavi has become one of the most admired South Indian actresses because of her expressive acting and natural screen presence.
She made an unforgettable debut with the Malayalam blockbuster Premam in 2015 and later became a leading name in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She is known for performance-driven films such as Fidaa, Premam, Gargi, and Love Story. Her upcoming role as Sita in the Ramayana trilogy has placed her at the very top of the highest-paid South Indian actress list for 2025.
With a fee reportedly touching ₹18–20 crore for the entire franchise, she has entered the list of the top 10 richest South Indian actresses on a per-project basis.

10. Shruti Haasan

Shruti Haasan stands out as both an actress and a musician, giving her a unique place among South Indian stars. She debuted as a singer before transitioning to acting in Luck (2009). She has delivered successful performances in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films with projects like Gabbar Singh, Veeram, and Premam (Telugu version).
Her versatility keeps her firmly within the top 10 richest South Indian actresses, and her cross-industry presence continues to fuel her popularity.

Conclusion

Overall, the list of the top ten richest South Indian actresses in 2025 shows how rapidly the industry has grown in terms of pay, scale, and nationwide influence. These actresses are not only delivering powerful performances but also expanding their careers through endorsements, pan-Indian films, and global projects. 

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Disclaimer– The rankings and figures in this article have been compiled from multiple verified reports, credible news sources, and public financial data available as of 2025.
All values are approximate and may vary with newer updates, revisions, or changes in official records.

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