In a surprising twist, Kalanithi Maran, owner of Sun Pictures and Sun TV, has emerged as India’s richest film producer. His recent blockbuster, “Rajinikanth’s Jailer,” grossed Rs 580 crore globally, and his net worth exceeding $2 billion (about Rs 19,000 crore), surpasses industry giants like Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.
Record-Breaking Earnings
What sets Maran apart is not just his net worth but also his remuneration. He and his wife, Kaveri, earned a whopping Rs 1,500 crore between 2012 and 2021. In 2021-22 alone, Maran’s reported salary of Rs 87.50 crore made him the highest-paid executive in India.
Competition in the Industry
While Maran claims the top spot, Ronnie Screwvala, with a net worth of Rs 12,800 crore, follows closely. Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films is at number three with Rs 7,500 crore. Arjan and Kishore Lulla of Eros jointly have a net worth of approximately Rs 7,400 crore.
Further down the list, Karan Johar ranks fifth with Rs 1,700 crore, Gauri Khan sixth with Rs 1,600 crore, and Aamir Khan seventh with Rs 1,500 crore. Other notable producers with net worths exceeding Rs 1,000 crore include Sajid Nadiadwala, Bhushan Kumar, and Ekta Kapoor.
In a surprising turn of events, Kalanithi Maran has redefined success in India’s film industry, outshining even the biggest names in Bollywood with his staggering wealth and record-breaking earnings.
