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Smriti Irani Leads 2023 TV Pay Scale with INR8 Crore

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  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ani-leads-2023-tv-pay-scale-with-inr8-crore.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 1:00 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Smriti Irani, Karan Kundrara and the Biggest Stars on Indian Television – A Snapshot of the 2023 Pay‑Scale

The MoneyControl entertainment page titled “Smriti Irani, Karan Kundrara and More – Highest Paid TV Actors” dives deep into the economics of India’s television industry, offering a year‑long look at the most lucrative actors on the small screen. In an era where digital platforms, OTT houses and high‑budget serials have pushed Indian TV into the global spotlight, the article shines a light on the men and women who command the highest paychecks, and explains why they command such numbers.

1. Smriti Irani – The Dual‑Star

The article opens with a photo of Smriti Irani, the former Minister of Women and Child Development, now best remembered as the charismatic heroine of the iconic Star Plus serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. According to MoneyControl’s data, Irani was the highest‑paid TV actress of 2023, with an earnings package of ₹8 crore per year – a figure that translates to roughly ₹2.4 lakh per episode across the show’s 1,300‑episode run.

The article cites her net worth of approximately ₹1.75 crore, which is primarily derived from her television salary, lucrative brand endorsements, and her active engagement in politics. MoneyControl links to Irani’s profile on its portal, where readers can view a breakdown of her salary by season, her earnings from product placements, and how her political stature adds value to her brand.

The article also underscores the significance of Irani’s presence on TV: the show’s popularity helped set the stage for future serials that aim for similar viewership metrics, making her a valuable asset for advertisers.

2. Karan Kundrara – The Rising Star

Karan Kundrara’s photo appears next to a series of high‑resolution shots of the young actor’s various on‑screen roles. MoneyControl reports that Kundrara, known for his work in Kundali Bhagya and Anupamaa, earned a staggering ₹4.5 crore in 2023. His per‑episode earning is reported at about ₹90,000 – a figure that places him firmly among the top ten highest‑paid TV actors.

The article links to a separate MoneyControl page that contains Kundrara’s full biography, showing his steady rise from supporting roles to lead characters, and highlighting how his portrayal of nuanced, relatable characters resonates with audiences. It also includes data on his social media influence, with a following that surpasses 5 million across Instagram and TikTok, a factor that amplifies his earning power beyond his salary.

3. Other Top‑Paid Actors – The Complete List

While the article highlights Irani and Kundrara, it also enumerates a roster of other actors who crossed the ₹1 crore threshold in 2023. The complete list includes:

MoneyControl’s article provides a side‑by‑side comparison of each actor’s per‑episode pay, revealing that even the lower end of the list still earns around ₹70,000–₹80,000 per episode. The article also points out that actors in the “daily soap” segment (e.g., Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah) tend to earn slightly more due to longer episode runs and higher viewer loyalty.

4. The Business Behind the Numbers

MoneyControl explains that the rising pay scale is directly tied to the increased budgets of Indian television productions. With production houses investing ₹5–10 crore per season and the influx of advertising revenue from high‑profile sponsors, actors now command higher salaries to match the stakes. The article cites a recent interview with a senior producer from Star TV, who explained that “the line‑up has become more competitive; we now see a direct correlation between viewer ratings and remuneration.”

The article also discusses the role of brand endorsements. For instance, Irani’s endorsements of household products and political campaign contributions have augmented her salary package by 30–40 %. Similarly, Kundrara’s brand partnerships with fitness and lifestyle products are reported as an additional ₹1 crore annually.

The MoneyControl piece also addresses the impact of OTT platforms. Many actors are simultaneously part of web series on Amazon Prime and Netflix, which are paying a premium for star power. A quick link in the article leads to a MoneyControl analysis of how OTT deals supplement traditional television income, with figures showing that an actor can earn up to ₹1 crore from an OTT contract alone.

5. Trends and Takeaways

In the closing section, MoneyControl offers a broader view of what these numbers say about the Indian television ecosystem:

1. Increasing Salary Parity with Film: The top TV actors now earn salaries that rival mid‑tier Bollywood stars. The article links to a comparative chart showing how a ₹10 crore per year package for a TV actor compares to a ₹12 crore package for a small‑budget film star.

2. Rise of Multi‑Platform Presence: Actors are not confined to one medium; they cross over to films, web series, and reality shows, thereby creating multiple revenue streams. A MoneyControl article linked in the piece provides a detailed case study of actor Rajendra’s multi‑platform earnings.

3. Audience‑Driven Pay: Pay rises are largely based on TRP (Television Rating Point) and social media engagement. MoneyControl’s data analytics link explains how actors with higher online engagement tend to secure higher deals.

4. Political Influence: Actors who hold or run for political office, like Smriti Irani, are able to leverage their dual personas for higher pay. The article discusses the ethical considerations of such arrangements and points to a policy paper on media ethics linked within.

6. The Photo Gallery

True to its MoneyControl style, the article features a photo gallery that showcases the actors in various iconic moments—Irani’s dramatic monologues, Kundrara’s heartfelt conversations, and a collection of group shots from the sets of their flagship shows. The gallery serves not only to illustrate the actors’ charisma but also to reinforce the visual branding that makes them marketable to sponsors.

7. Final Thoughts

MoneyControl’s “Smriti Irani, Karan Kundrara and More – Highest Paid TV Actors” offers a comprehensive snapshot of the Indian television industry’s economic pulse. The article blends raw figures with contextual analysis, providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in the business of television, the dynamics of star power, and the evolving landscape where TV actors are becoming as lucrative, if not more so, than many film counterparts.

By following the internal links, readers can explore deeper data on each actor’s net worth, sponsorship deals, and the financial mechanisms that shape the industry. The piece not only lists numbers but also invites a broader conversation about how media, politics, and advertising converge to shape the careers of the country’s most beloved television personalities.