- Sunday, March 09, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
One of the most highly anticipated Bollywood films of 2025, Sikandar, starring Salman Khan, is already generating immense buzz. Directed by AR Murugadoss, the film is scheduled for release on March 30, 2025, coinciding with Eid. The makers have already earned approximately $19.8 million from pre-release business, hinting at the film’s massive box office potential. However, what has now caught the audience’s attention is the rumored salary of the star cast, particularly Salman Khan’s staggering paycheck, which is reportedly 2300% higher than Rashmika Mandanna’s earnings.
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The cast includes Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, and Sathyaraj. Let’s break down their reported salaries and where they stand in the pay scale.
Salman Khan often prefers a profit-sharing model over a fixed salary. However, reports suggest that for Sikandar, he has charged a massive $14.4 million as his base salary. The film’s total production budget is around $24 million, meaning Salman’s remuneration accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the budget. It remains to be seen whether he will also receive a share of the film’s profits or if this amount covers everything.
Given Salman Khan’s unparalleled stardom, his paycheck is 2300% higher than his co-star Rashmika Mandanna’s earnings, making him the highest-paid actor in the cast.
After delivering hits like Pushpa: The Rise and Chhaava, Rashmika Mandanna has established herself as one of the most bankable actresses in the industry. For Sikandar, Rashmika has reportedly charged $600,000—a significant sum, although much lower than Salman Khan’s earnings. Her growing popularity is expected to attract a massive audience to the film.
South Indian actress Kajal Aggarwal, who has previously worked with Bollywood bigwigs like Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, is also part of Sikandar. Reports suggest that she has been paid $360,000 for her role, adding another layer of star power to the cast.
Sharman Joshi, best known for 3 Idiots, reportedly reached out to Salman Khan at a party, expressing his struggle in securing Bollywood offers. Moved by his story, Salman offered him a role in Sikandar. For his part, Sharman has been paid $90,000, marking his big return to the big screen.
Prateik Babbar, whose role in the film remains under wraps, has been cast alongside Bollywood’s heavyweights. According to reports, he has charged $72,000 for his performance. Fans are eager to see what he brings to this high-budget action thriller.
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Veteran Baahubali actor Sathyaraj, best remembered for playing Kattappa, is also part of Sikandar. Surprisingly, he is the lowest-paid actor in the cast, with a reported salary of $60,000. His relatively low paycheck suggests a shorter role in the film.
Salaries of Sikandar Cast
The film has already created a significant buzz, with the makers securing around $19.8 million from satellite rights, music rights, and digital streaming platforms. With its grand release scheduled for March 30, 2025 (Eid), expectations are soaring for Sikandar.
The stark salary difference between Salman Khan and the rest of the cast has drawn attention. However, given his star power and box office pull, his $14.4 million paycheck appears justified.
