Ranveer Singh has pulled off one of the most outstanding career turnarounds in Bollywood history. The actor, who headlined Aditya Dhar's blockbuster spy-action films Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge, has reportedly become the highest-paid actor in India. The two films emerged as massive commercial successes and transformed Ranveer's standing in the industry, both as a star and as a box-office force.According to a recent report by Hindustan Times, Ranveer's earnings from the Dhurandhar franchise have pushed him ahead of some of Indian cinema's biggest names, including Shah Rukh Khan, Allu Arjun, Prabhas, and Rajinikanth.How Dhurandhar changed Ranveer Singh's fortunesDirected by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar was initially conceived and shot as a single project before being released as a two-part franchise. The first installment arrived in December 2025, while the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, followed in March 2026.The gamble paid off in a big way. Together, the films reportedly grossed around Rs 3,200 crore worldwide and earned more than Rs 1,900 crore net at the Indian box office. The franchise quickly became one of the biggest commercial successes in Indian cinema.You Might Also Like:Unlike a traditional acting contract, Ranveer reportedly chose not to take his standard upfront fee. Instead, he entered into a profit-sharing agreement, linking his earnings directly to the films' performance. Reports also suggest that the actor invested his own money into the project when production costs exceeded expectations, increasing his stake in the franchise.Trade estimates indicate that after accounting for theatrical revenues, distribution profits, performance bonuses, and earnings from digital, satellite, and music rights, Ranveer's share may have reached approximately ₹325 crore.While the largest share of the profits reportedly went to Jio Studios and Aditya Dhar's B62 Studios, Ranveer is believed to have earned more than any other actor associated with the project.Surpassing SRK, Rajinikanth and Allu ArjunIf the reported figures are accurate, Ranveer has broken a record that was previously held by some of the biggest stars in Indian cinema.You Might Also Like:Before this, Rajinikanth reportedly held the title of India's highest-paid actor after earning more than Rs 250 crore from Jailer. Telugu stars Allu Arjun and Prabhas were also reported to have earned over Rs 200 crore from Pushpa 2 and Kalki 2898 AD, respectively.In Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan had set a benchmark in 2023 following the phenomenal success of Pathaan and Jawan. Industry reports suggested that the superstar earned around Rs 200 crore from each of those films.For much of the previous decade, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan frequently occupied the top spot in discussions about the country's highest-paid actors. Ranveer's reported earnings from Dhurandhar have now placed him ahead of all of them.From HR College to blockbuster successRanveer's journey to the top did not begin in front of a camera. The actor completed his studies at H.R. College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai before moving to the United States for higher education.He later graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications and also pursued theatre studies. The experience helped shape his interest in performance and storytelling, but acting was not his first profession after graduation.After returning to Mumbai, Ranveer worked as a copywriter at leading advertising agencies, including O&M and J. Walter Thompson. It was during this period that he began actively pursuing opportunities in the film industry.His breakthrough eventually came in 2010 with Band Baaja Baaraat. For the romantic comedy, Ranveer reportedly earned just Rs 15 lakh. At the time, he was a newcomer trying to establish himself in an industry dominated by established stars.Few could have predicted that the young actor who started with a modest debut paycheck would one day become the country's highest-paid star.Over the last 16 years, Ranveer Singh has built a reputation as one of Bollywood's most energetic and versatile performers. From playing a lively Delhi wedding planner in Band Baaja Baaraat to leading a record-breaking spy-action franchise, his career has seen dramatic highs, critical acclaim, and commercial success.The success of the Dhurandhar films has now added another milestone to that journey. Both the film are currently streaming online. Dhurandhar is available on Netflix. Dhurandhar: The Revenge is currently streaming on JioHotstar and Netflix. Stay tuned!