Akshay Kumar bags ₹35–40 crore for Golmaal 5, more than Ajay Devgn's upfront fee
Synopsis
Akshay Kumar is reportedly pocketing ₹35–40 crore for just 18–22 days on the Golmaal 5 set — more than lead Ajay Devgn's upfront fee. The gap isn't a slight; Devgn is on profit-sharing. But the numbers reveal how franchise economics work when you bring in a marquee guest star: the fixed fee goes up, the back-end stays with the house.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Kumar is reportedly earning ₹35–40 crore for an 18–22 day shoot on Golmaal 5 .
His fee reportedly exceeds Ajay Devgn's upfront charges; Devgn is on a profit-sharing arrangement.
Rohit Shetty announced the film on his 52nd birthday in March ; Akshay's involvement as a 'surprise package' was revealed the same day.
A new shoot schedule commenced on 27 April in Ooty , with the original ensemble — Arshad Warsi , Tusshar Kapoor , Sharman Joshi , Shreyas Talpade , and Kunal Kemmu — returning.
The franchise spans four previous instalments from 2006 to 2017 ; Golmaal 5 marks Akshay's first entry into the series.
Akshay Kumar is reportedly set to earn between ₹35 crore and ₹40 crore for his role in Rohit Shetty's Golmaal 5 — a fee that exceeds lead actor Ajay Devgn's upfront charges for the same film. The disclosure, made by a source familiar with the production, has drawn fresh attention to Bollywood's evolving star-fee structures ahead of one of the most anticipated comedy sequels in recent memory.
The Fee Breakdown
According to a source close to the production, Akshay is shooting for 18 to 22 days and is being paid in the range of ₹35–40 crore for that schedule. 'Akshay Kumar is shooting for 18–22 days, and he is getting around 35–40 crs, which is more than Ajay Devgn's upfront fees because he is on a profit-sharing basis,' the source said. The distinction matters: while Akshay commands a higher fixed fee for his limited shoot window, Devgn — as the franchise's lead and a stakeholder — participates in the film's eventual profits rather than drawing a larger upfront sum.
How Akshay Joined the Franchise
Director Rohit Shetty announced Golmaal 5 on the occasion of his 52nd birthday in March, and it was on the same day that Akshay's involvement as a 'surprise package' was first revealed. Behind-the-scenes footage shared by Shetty from the sets subsequently unveiled Akshay's distinctive bald look for the film. On 27 April, Ajay Devgn confirmed that a fresh shoot schedule had commenced, sharing a video montage from Ooty featuring returning cast members Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Shreyas Talpade, and Kunal Kemmu.
The Golmaal Legacy
The original Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, released in 2006, was reportedly inspired by Harsh Shivsharan's Marathi play Ghar Ghar, which also inspired a Gujarati play that served as one of the film's creative foundations. The franchise has since delivered four sequels — Golmaal Returns (2008), Golmaal 3 (2010), and Golmaal Again (2017). Core cast members including Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sanjay Mishra, Vrajesh Hirjee, and Mukesh Tiwari have featured across all instalments, with Shreyas Talpade appearing in three and Kunal Kemmu and Johnny Lever in two. Akshay marks a significant new addition to this established ensemble.
Nostalgia on Set and Akshay's Other Projects
On 14 May, Shetty, along with Warsi and Joshi, recreated the iconic race car scene from the 2006 original — a moment that quickly circulated online. 'Driving down the memory lane! How old were you when you watched the first Golmaal? We promise you'll relive those happy days very soon… filming in progress,' Shetty wrote. Meanwhile, on 13 May, Akshay also shared a glimpse from another upcoming project, Welcome To The Jungle, posting a photograph of himself in a dark suit and sunglasses against a dense jungle backdrop, captioning it: 'Next… #WelcomeToTheJungle.'
With Golmaal 5 now in active production and a high-profile ensemble locked in, the film is shaping up as one of Bollywood's bigger commercial bets of the coming year.
Point of View
As a profit participant, is betting on the film's commercial performance — a bet that has paid off handsomely across the franchise's run. What the numbers actually reveal is how Bollywood's top tier now negotiates: fixed fees for limited windows, equity for long-haul commitments. Whether Akshay's 'surprise package' billing translates into box-office uplift is the real question the industry will be watching.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Akshay Kumar being paid for Golmaal 5?
Akshay Kumar is reportedly being paid between ₹35 crore and ₹40 crore for an 18–22 day shoot on Golmaal 5, according to a source close to the production. This fee is said to exceed Ajay Devgn's upfront charges for the film.
Why is Akshay Kumar's fee higher than Ajay Devgn's for Golmaal 5?
Ajay Devgn is on a profit-sharing arrangement rather than a large upfront fee, which means his earnings are tied to the film's commercial performance. Akshay, joining for a limited shoot window, commands a higher fixed fee without a back-end stake.
When did Golmaal 5 go into production?
Director Rohit Shetty announced Golmaal 5 on his 52nd birthday in March, with Akshay Kumar's involvement revealed the same day. A new shoot schedule commenced on 27 April, with portions filmed in Ooty.
Who is in the cast of Golmaal 5?
The returning ensemble includes Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Shreyas Talpade, and Kunal Kemmu. Akshay Kumar is joining the franchise for the first time in the fifth instalment.
What is the history of the Golmaal film series?
The Golmaal franchise began with Golmaal: Fun Unlimited in 2006, reportedly inspired by a Marathi play. It was followed by Golmaal Returns (2008), Golmaal 3 (2010), and Golmaal Again (2017), all directed by Rohit Shetty with Ajay Devgn as the lead.
