Starry Sensex

Bollywood's leading lights are charging the moon in the new year.

The Indian entertainment industry saw a lot of hits and misses in 2007. What it also saw was the rise and fall and the eventual settling down of the fee that the top film stars are now charging per project.

One of the biggest stars to emerge in 2007 was singer-turned-actor Himesh Reshammiya in Aap Ka Surroor.

Reshammiya is now looking forward to the release of his next film, Karzzz (a remake of Subhash Ghai's superhit Rishi Kapoor starrer). The film has been directed by Satish Kaushik. Reshammiya charges Rs 5-6 crore for every film that he signs.

If Reshammiya was one of the highest paid debutantes in 2007, 56-year-old Rajnikant is the highest-paid industry veteran. His last film, Sivaji, grossed Rs 150 crore (it was made at Rs 70 crore) and now Rajnikant is charging a thumping Rs 20 crore per film.

But Bollywood needn't worry as that's exactly the price that Aamir Khan now commands. After the success of his directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par (made at Rs 14 crore, the first three days billing alone was Rs 13 crore), Aamir is charging Rs 20 crore a film.

He plans to invest most of his income into his production company. His next film is Gajini opposite Jiah Khan (Remember Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd?)

Shah Rukh Khan, who surprisingly charged only Rs 3.5 crore for Chak De! India (a Yashraj film), made a profit of Rs 50 crore on Om Shanti Om, a film that he co-produced with his wife, Gauri Khan.

In other words, Khan who works mostly in films made by friends (read Karan Johar, Farah Khan) or are produced under his Red Chillies Entertainment banner, makes most of his money through live shows and endorsements.

However, the other Khan, Salman, upped his price from Rs 5 crore to between Rs 10 crore and Rs 15 crore after the success of Partner (it grossed Rs 45 crore). He has overtaken Saif Ali Khan, who charges Rs 7-8 crore per film. Saif too has announced his own production company and will soon be pumping most of his money into producing films under his own banner.

Hrithik Roshan, who will see the release of Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodhaa Akbar, opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, on January 25, 2008, charges Rs 15 crore per film. If the film does well Roshan will obviously hike his price. Interestingly, his Rs 35 crore deal with Adlabs for acting in three films fell through after much hype.

Akshay Kumar, who was seen in Vipul Shah's Namaste London (it grossed Rs 90 crore), might raise his price from the current Rs 15 crore.

John Abraham, despite two flops in 2007 (Goal and No Smoking), still manages to charge Rs 4-5 crore, along with Abhishek Bachchan who remains in the same price bracket.

As far as the women in Bollywood are concerned, Mallika Sherawat was reportedly given Rs 1.5 crore for her cameo in Aap Ka Surroor.

Rani Mukherjee, after quoting a price of Rs 6 crore for Baabul, became the highest paid female star. But after two flops in 2007 (Laaga Chunri Mein Daag and Saawariya) she may not be in a position to hike her price further.

After the spectacular success of Jab We Met, Kareena Kapoor is calling the shots and charging Rs 3.5 crore per film.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra has a three film deal with UTV for Rs 20 crore. While there's no confirmation on how much Aishwarya Rai charges for films, sources say that her brand endorsement fee is roughly Rs 3 crore.