Yash Raj Films (YRF) launched its Spy Universe back in 2012 with Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan. Little did anyone know that this single action movie would be the start of an entire cinematic universe, culminating in 2023 with the release of Pathaan, led by Shah Rukh Khan. With mega-hits like War and Tiger Zinda Hai, YRF’s Spy Universe has grown into a major franchise in Indian cinema. As fans await the next parts like War 2 and Tiger vs. Pathaan, the question arises: who is the highest-paid actor among Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Hrithik Roshan?
Here’s a look at how much each of these superstars has earned for their roles in the franchise.
Hrithik Roshan’s Fee for War
Hrithik Roshan joined the Spy Universe in 2019 with the high-octane action thriller War, where he portrayed an elite spy alongside Tiger Shroff. Hrithik’s charisma and action sequences contributed greatly to the film’s blockbuster status, making it one of the most successful YRF films. For War, Hrithik reportedly earned a hefty fee of ₹48 crore. With War 2 in the works, rumors suggest that his fee has significantly increased, given the movie’s anticipated popularity. However, exact figures for his earnings in War 2 have yet to be disclosed.
Salman Khan’s Massive Paycheck for Tiger 3
Salman Khan has been a central figure in the Spy Universe since its inception. Playing the iconic character of Tiger, he headlined Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and most recently, Tiger 3 in 2023. For Tiger 3, it’s reported that Salman took home an enormous ₹100 crore. Known for his massive fan following, Salman’s presence brings high expectations and substantial box-office pull. While Tiger 3 didn’t break records as anticipated, his role in the film keeps him as one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Profit-Sharing Success with Pathaan
Shah Rukh Khan’s role in Pathaan marked his grand comeback to Bollywood. Released in 2023, Pathaan became a global sensation, breaking multiple box-office records. Unlike Salman and Hrithik, Shah Rukh opted for a unique profit-sharing model. Instead of a fixed fee, SRK agreed to take a 60% share of the film’s profits. Given Pathaan’s tremendous success, this decision proved to be extremely lucrative. With the film’s total budget at ₹270 crore and net earnings of ₹333 crore, SRK earned an estimated ₹200 crore through his share of the profits.
The movie did spectacularly well domestically, earning ₹545 crore, and grossed an additional ₹396 crore overseas. From these earnings, distributors in India received ₹245 crore, while international distributors earned ₹178 crore. Moreover, the non-theatrical rights alone brought in an additional ₹180 crore, adding to Pathaan’s success and SRK’s earnings.
Who Takes the Crown?
Each of these stars brings incredible value to the YRF Spy Universe, and their earnings reflect that. While Salman and Hrithik took home impressive fixed fees for their roles, Shah Rukh’s decision to go with a profit-sharing deal made him the highest earner among the three. By earning a substantial ₹200 crore, SRK’s Pathaan stint sets a new standard for actor earnings in Bollywood franchises.
With War 2, Tiger vs. Pathaan, and more projects on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if Hrithik or Salman will also explore profit-sharing or if SRK continues to be the most valuable asset in the YRF Spy Universe.
