Drishyam 3 is a content-driven Hindi thriller where casting continuity plays a major role in its identity. Along with storytelling, the film’s cast remuneration has become a key point of discussion within industry circles. From the lead actor’s premium salary to carefully structured supporting cast fees, Drishyam 3 follows a well-defined pay structure shaped by franchise value, performance credibility, and long-term audience association. All fee figures mentioned below are based on industry estimates and trade-level assessments.
Overall Cast Fees Structure
The overall cast fees of Drishyam 3 are largely concentrated around its lead actor, with a significant portion of the budget allocated to the principal cast. Industry estimates suggest that the remuneration model follows a traditional structure, where senior actors command fixed fees, while supporting performers are paid role-based salaries. Given the franchise value, negotiation power clearly favored actors who have been associated with the series from the beginning.
Lead Actor Fees
Ajay Devgn, who reprises his role as Vijay Salgaonkar, remains the highest-paid member of the cast. Based on trade reports and industry estimates, his salary for Drishyam 3 falls in a premium bracket, reflecting not only his star value but also his long-term association with the franchise. His remuneration reportedly includes a substantial upfront fee, with possible performance-linked components discussed informally within the industry.
Actor-Wise Fees Breakdown
| Actor | Role | Salary (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Ajay Devgn | Vijay Salgaonkar | ₹30–35 crore |
| Tabu | Meera Deshmukh | ₹4–6 crore |
| Akshaye Khanna | Senior Investigating Officer | ₹3–4.5 crore |
| Shriya Saran | Nandini Salgaonkar | ₹2–3 crore |
| Ishita Dutta | Anju Salgaonkar | ₹1–2 crore |
| Rajat Kapoor | Senior Legal Authority | ₹80 lakh – ₹1.2 crore |
| Gajraj Rao | Supporting Investigative Role | ₹60 lakh – ₹1 crore |
| Supporting Ensemble Cast | Police, Legal & Family Roles | ₹15–40 lakh per actor |
Supporting Cast & Ensemble Fees
The supporting cast of Drishyam 3 includes experienced character actors who play key investigative and family roles. Their fees are believed to range from several lakhs to under one crore, depending on screen time and narrative importance. Ensemble actors, including police officials and legal characters, are typically compensated on a per-project basis, following standard industry slabs rather than profit-linked arrangements.
How Cast Fees Are Decided
Cast fees for Drishyam 3 were influenced by multiple factors such as franchise continuity, character recall value, and audience association with specific performances. Trade discussions indicate that actors returning from earlier installments held stronger bargaining positions. Market demand, past collaborations, and acting credibility played a bigger role than box office metrics alone, keeping negotiations performance-centric rather than speculative.
Why This Movie’s Cast Fees Matter
The cast remuneration structure of Drishyam 3 highlights how content-driven franchises reward consistency and strong character portrayal. Instead of frequent recasting, sustained actor involvement has allowed fees to grow organically over time. For industry observers, the film serves as an example of how actor salaries evolve within successful narrative franchises while maintaining financial discipline.
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FAQs
Who is the highest-paid actor in Drishyam 3?
Ajay Devgn is estimated to be the highest-paid actor in the film, considering his lead role and strong association with the franchise.
Do supporting actors receive profit-sharing?
As per common industry practice, supporting cast members are generally paid fixed remuneration rather than profit-linked compensation.
Why do franchise films often have higher actor fees?
Franchise films benefit from established characters and audience loyalty, which increases the market value of returning actors and strengthens their negotiation power.