Fans Surprised by Akshaye Khanna’s Salary as Vicky Kaushal Earns Four Times Rashmika's Pay for 'Chhaava'

Vicky Kaushal’s latest film Chhaava has taken the box office by storm, raking in a record-breaking 31 crore on its opening day, becoming the highest opener of 2025. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film has been praised for the exceptional performances of its lead cast. Reports suggest that Vicky Kaushal, who portrays Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, earned a hefty 10 crore for his role, accounting for nearly 7% of the film's budget. This salary is comparable to what he earned for Bad Newz, though it is slightly less than his 12 crore paycheck for URI: The Surgical Strike.

Rashmika Mandanna, who portrays Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale, was paid 4 crore for her role. While the pay disparity between Vicky and Rashmika is significant, it's Akshaye Khanna's salary that has truly surprised fans. The seasoned actor, who plays the antagonist Aurangzeb, reportedly received just 2.5 crore, which is five times less than Vicky's earnings. Although his pay is higher than the 2 crore he earned for Drishyam 2, fans feel Akshaye’s impactful performance in Chhaava deserved a larger salary.

In Chhaava, Ashutosh Rana earned 80 lakh for his role as Hambirrao Mohite, while Divya Dutta received 45 lakh for portraying Rajmata Soyarabal Bhosale. Despite pay disparities, the film's performances stood out, earning a 3.5-star rating from ETimes. Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj was particularly praised, although the review noted limited screen time for women and some struggles with language and accent, particularly from Rashmika. The film shines in its gripping second half, with an intense climax driven by Kaushal’s powerful performance.