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Deepika Padukone paid ‘7 times less’ than Allu Arjun in Raaka? Report sparks debate

Report claims Deepika Padukone is paid far less than Allu Arjun in Raaka; unverified figures spark pay gap debate.

By Surjosnata Chatterjee

Apr 10, 2026 19:12 IST

A fresh report around the upcoming big-budget film Raaka has sparked conversation in the film industry after claims of a significant pay gap between its lead actors surfaced online.

As per a Deccan Chronicle report, actor Allu Arjun has been rumored to get Rs.175 crore for starring in the movie, while his co-star Deepika Padukone is earning only about Rs.25 crore. Assuming these numbers are correct, it means that she is only getting a seventh of what her Co-star’s fee.

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Meanwhile, actress Rashmika Mandanna has allegedly received Rs 5 crore for playing a character in Raaka. But according to News18, this information hasn't been verified yet.

Big-budget film, bigger expectations

Directed by Atlee, Raaka marks the first collaboration between Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone. The film is reportedly being mounted on a massive budget of over ₹700 crore and is backed by Sun Pictures.

Reports suggest Allu Arjun will be seen in multiple roles, including that of a police officer and a fantasy-inspired character, adding to the scale and ambition of the project.

The cast is also expected to include Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor in key roles, though an official announcement on the full ensemble is awaited.

First look fuels buzz

The production team announced the title and the first poster of the movie on Allu Arjun’s birthday itself, giving viewers a feel for the movie's artistic style. The poster had a wild avatar of the actor with some stylistic elements showing the epic nature of the story.

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Whereas there is no denying that this remuneration difference is a hot topic for discussion, it should also be noted that many things decide the salary of a star in high-budget films, like market appeal, box office performance, etc.

As the shoot continues throughout the year, Raaka is being marketed as one of the most ambitious Indian film projects in recent times.

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