OTT platforms in India have exploded in popularity, bringing bigger stories, bigger profits, and now, bigger stars. With Bollywood heavyweights like Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan jumping on the digital bandwagon, it’s no surprise that the stakes are high. These stars are known to charge the moon and stars for movies and series alike. But hold on to your seats — there is one star who has out-earned them all, becoming India’s highest-paid OTT actor. And it’s not who you might expect.

Who is India’s highest-paid OTT actor?

When you think of OTT giants, names like Jaideep Ahlawat, Manoj Bajpayee, and Vijay Varma likely come to mind. These actors have carved a niche for themselves with powerhouse performances. But none of them have come close to charging as much as this Bollywood megastar. Drumroll, please… it’s Ajay Devgn!

Yes, you read that right. In 2021, when Ajay Devgn signed up for the Indian adaptation of the British show Luther, titled Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, he reportedly demanded a jaw-dropping ₹125 crore. That’s not a typo. This deal made headlines not just for the total sum but also because it broke down to approximately ₹18 crore per episode, making it the highest per-episode fee ever seen in the history of Indian entertainment.

Ajay’s paycheck reflects not only his star power but also the format of the series itself. With seven gripping episodes that add up to the length of two full-length feature films, the fee was seen as justified by many industry insiders.

And it wasn’t just about acting. According to Bollywood Hungama, the deal included several cross-promotional activities for the Star Network, such as promo shoots, social media promotions, and appearances on reality shows. This multi-layered arrangement ensured that Ajay was not just an actor but a full-blown brand ambassador for the show.

As streaming giants continue to pump more money into original content, it begs the question: Who will be the next Bollywood superstar to shatter Ajay Devgn’s record? With every platform vying for exclusive rights to big names, this battle of the bucks is just getting started. Stay tuned — the best is yet to come!

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Related: Rudra Review: Ajay Devgn’s OTT Debut Is Gripping But Deserved More