When you think of Akshay Kumar, you think of consistency, discipline, and a hefty paycheck. For many years, the superstar has been one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood, charging between Rs. 70–100 crore per film at his peak, particularly when it comes to big-ticket commercial entertainers. However, Bhooth Bangla will depict a slightly different picture for Akshay, and that’s what makes it interesting.
For Bhooth Bangla, Khiladi Kumar has reportedly charged around Rs. 50 crore, which is still considered a great deal of money by any measure; however, it’s substantially less than his normal top-level film fee. Industry watchers consider this arrangement a strategic move rather than a “drop”, a sign that Akshay is choosing projects for creative collaboration as much as for commercial value.
And this collaboration is a big one, as he is reuniting with Priyadarshan after 14 years, and the two of them together produced a very successful line of comedy movies. This time, they are stepping into the horror-comedy space, where they will use the spookiness of the plot, combined with Priyadarshan’s signature chaos and humour.
Bhooth Bangla, which takes place inside an eerie mansion and provides lots of jump scares and hilarious moments, is being marketed as a great ensemble film. As indicated by the trailer and the early buzz about the film, it will offer a combination of creaky doors, confused characters, and supernatural twists wrapped in comedy.
But Akshay isn’t the only one cashing in.
The film boasts a strong supporting cast, and their reported salaries reflect a fairly balanced pay structure. For example, Tabu has reportedly been paid in the ballpark of Rs. 2.5 crore for her role in the movie. Similarly, Paresh Rawal, a well-established comedy actor and long-time collaborator with both Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, will be earning approximately Rs. 2 crore for his role in the film.
Additionally, Wamiqa Gabbi, who brings a fresh dynamic to the film, is reported to have earned around Rs. 3 crore for her role, subsequently making her one of the highest-paid actors, following Akshay Kumar. With Rajpal Yadav and Jisshu Sengupta also joining the cast, this film is very much about performance and comedic timing rather than star power alone.
Bhooth Bangla is a refreshing change to the cinematic landscape of India as it takes us back to the older style of ensemble-driven and wacky Bollywood movies driven by humour and storytelling. Additionally, for Akshay Kumar, it’s also a chance to revisit a genre he thrives in: comedy with a twist.
So, while the paycheck may not be quite what he used to receive during his golden years of success, the potential success of this film would be much greater if the film performs well. It will not only mean another box office hit for him, but could also complete the circle back to where his popularity grew from, and remind people why they fell in love with him in the first place.
And honestly, that might be worth far more than any paycheck.
