Naseeruddin Shah Highest-Paid Actor in the World

By Carol Kearney
New Delhi
Last updated on June 24, 2025

Naseeruddin Shah led People With Money’s annual list of the “100 highest paid actors” released on Monday.

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It's been a rough year for the actor, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 74-year-old Naseeruddin Shah has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid actors for 2025 with an estimated $58 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 24/06/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Naseeruddin Shah tops annual list of highest-paid actors

In 2022 it looked like the actor’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Monday (June 23) that Shah is the highest-paid actor in the world, pulling in an astonishing $58 million between May 2024 and May 2025, a nearly $30 million lead over his closest competition.

People With Money’s factors

In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

The Indian actor-director has an estimated net worth of $185 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. He also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Shah Burger” chain) in New Delhi, a Football Team (the “Barabanki Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wondershah - India), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Naseeruddin) and a fashion line called “Naseeruddin Shah Seduction”.

The ranking is significant for many Naseeruddin fans, who have been waiting for his triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.