Highest paid saas-bahus
Television is no longer the domain of movie-rejects trying to make ends meet. Actors demand sky high prices. Reena Thapar Kapoor finds out the ten best-paid saas-bahus of desi soaps
1. Smriti Irani:
Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is as big as a TV star could be and it goes without saying that she is the highest paid actress as well. Initially, Smriti and her show were quite small, in terms of success. Having started with the paltry sum of Rs 8000, she has moved on to making a cool Rs. 35,000 per episode.
Post the generation leap on Kyunki, according to insiders she is take home Rs. 50,000 per episode! For her endorsements she charges Rs. 5 lakh.
2. Mona Singh:
Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi proved to be a turning point in this girl-next-door's life. She was getting a pittance per episode (around 5,000) when her show was launched. But today she asks for Rs. 28,000 per episode. This is not all. The actress makes around Rs. 20 lakhs per annum for her ads, stage shows (that happen abroad) and for inaugurating stores… She is said to have charged Rs. 50 lakh for Bobby Pushkarna's film that she is scheduled to start early next year.
3. Sakshi Tanwar:
Parvati of Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki is the paradigm of perfection. Despite her show not garnering high viewer ratings, she continues to be very popular. That also ensures that she takes home a rather fat pay, amounting to Rs. 25,000 per episode. Though she isn't seen doing many ads, her charges to model for a product are around Rs. 1 lakh.
4. Niki Aneja:
She is undoubtedly the face of Astitva and also the biggest star of Zee TV. Not one of those to mince words, at the very onset Niki made it very clear to the makers of the show about her price. The lady pockets about Rs. 20,000 per episode. That was the amount she drew at the onset of the show. In addition to that, she charges Rs. 3 to 4 lakh for her endorsements.
5. Shweta Tiwari
Prerna of Kasautii started off on a meagre amount of Rs. 5,000 per episode. However, soon her show started to top the charts and she became hot property. Consequently, her price went high. The show's success worked in her favour, not only boosting her career but also her price. She is said to be drawing Rs. 20,000 per episode. For advertisements she charges between 2 to 4 lakh.
6. Gauri Pradhan:
Touted to be the next big thing on TV, Gauri is said to be stubborn about working on her own terms and conditions. She quoted an amount double to what she is getting today. Currently, she makes around Rs. 18,000, but the amount, it is said, will be hiked after the leap happens in Kyunki… She has demanded Rs. 30,000 from the producers.
7. Dolly Sohi:
She wasn't the original Bhabhi of the show. So, she started off with Rs 7,000 when she took over as Saroj. But later, the show set the cash registers ringing and she got an increment. The lady is said to be getting Rs.16,000 per episode.
However, she has not been seen in any ads and does not do any stage shows.
8. Shilpa Saklani:
Doing more than one show means a heavy bank balance. The lady gets Rs. 7,000 for Kyunki… and Rs. 15,000 for Kkusum. The girl has allegedly charged a rocking Rs. 16 lakh for Nach Balliye.
9. Mona Wasu
She might not be in the list of top-notch actress as yet. But she is certainly a strong contender. Mona alias Millie gets paid Rs. 10,000 per episode. Her price will be reconsidered after the show completes one year. Probably, that's when she can quote the price she desires.
10. Nandini Singh
This air-hostess turned actress is surely minting some good money, though she may be lagging behind some of her counterparts. She is believed to be getting approximately Rs 10,000 for Kesar. She manages to make another Rs 10,000 for her show Kkavyanjali.
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