India's richest comedian has ₹500 crore net worth, more than even Ranbir Kapoor; it's not Kapil Sharma

The richest comedian in India has more wealth than even A-list superstars like Ranbir Kapoor, Prabhas, and Rajinikanth.

Updated on: Mar 23, 2025, 11:04:39 IST

By Abhimanyu Mathur

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That Kapil Sharma is the most popular comedian in India is a largely agreed-upon fact. With his shows, stage acts, and film appearances, he has become a household name across the country. Many would assume that he would be the richest one as well. But one 'king of comedy' sits comfortably atop that throne, far beyond the reach of Kapil and even many Bollywood stars. (Also read: India's highest-paid actress earns ₹30 crore per film, has no release in 6 years, yet beat Deepika, Alia Bhatt, Kareena)

India's richest comedian

Veteran Telugu actor Brahmanandam, known in Tollywood as the 'King of comedy', is reportedly the richest comedian in India. Across a career that has seen him appear in over a thousand films (a world record), Brahmandandam has amassed a wealth of $60 million, according to DNA and MoneyControl. This translates to a net worth of over ₹500 crore, making the actor richer than not just all the comedians of India, but even A-list actors such as Ranbir Kapoor ( ₹350 crore), Prabhas ( ₹300 crore), and even Rajinikanth ( ₹400 crore).

Nobody among the other popular comedians in India has managed to come close to Brahmanandam. Kapil Sharma has a reported net worth of ₹300 crore, while none of the other comics in India cross even ₹100 crore with their net worth.

How Brahmanandam made his millions

Originally a lecturer in an AP college, Brahmanandam began his showbiz career in the 80s as a theatre artist known for his mimicry skills. This led to a TV debut in 1985 and a film debut in 1987. Aha Naa Pellanta! became his breakthrough and offers flooded. In the 90s, Brahmanandam was said to be in every second or third Telugu film made as makers considered him 'essential'. This prolificity, coupled with the demand, allowed him to increase his fees and earn more than even top heroes each year. In 2012, he was felicitated by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most screen credits for any living actor. By 2020, he had crossed Prem Nazir to have the most credits of any actor ever. Brahmandandam has continued acting into his 60s and while he is not as prolific, he still charges a premium for his appearances.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abhimanyu Mathur
Abhimanyu Mathur is Deputy Editor, Entertainment at Hindustan Times. With almost 15 years of experience in writing about everything from films and TV shows to cricket matches and elections, he inhales and exhales pop culture and news. Currently, he watches movies and TV shows and talks to celebrities for a living, while occasionally writing about them as well. A journalism graduate of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi University, Abhimanyu began his career with Hindustan Times at the age of 20, swapping classrooms for newsrooms at an early age. He began his journey in the early days of digital journalism, later switching to the madness of print journalism. Work has led him to far off places like Japan and Jordan, as well as to the interiors of Haryana and the Indo-Pak border. He dabbled in city reporting in places like Meerut, Gurgaon, and Delhi, covered the Olympics and Cricket World Cups, before finding his calling in entertainment and lifestyle during the pandemic. A Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, he is equally at home covering stories on ground as he is interviewing celebrities and studios, and sometimes prefers to shepherd teams in delivering traffic through the day. Even as his role has evolved from reporter to supervisor over the years, his first love remains writing (and of late, talking on camera). With a good understanding of cinema and its trends, and a keen eye for detail, he continues to spark conversations around showbiz for readers around the world.Read More

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