These figures don't raise eyebrows anymore. Feroz Khan is paying Ajay Devan Rs 2.3 crore to star in his next production with Fardeen Khan. Grapevine has it that Hrithik, currently the supreme God, has producers waiting with as much as Rs 6-7 crore in suitcases. That Aishwarya Rai, anointed No. 1 since there isn't anyone else, is asking for Rs 1.5 crore. And even Kareena Kapoor, one flop old, puts her price at Rs 80 lakh.
Movies are only one revenue source.
Major moolah comes from shows. Every year, from May to October, groups of stars take off abroad to dance on stage to their most popular numbers. Through the year, they also do shows in Indian cities, raking in Rs 10-15 lakh for a single night. Commercials are the other piggy bank. Shah Rukh,who maintains that his ad revenue permits him to do the films he wants, is omnipresent, selling shampoos, cars, booze.