- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
10 Richest South Indian Film Directors: South Indian movies aren't only about big stars, but directors here earn massive net worth and attention, too. For example, S.S. Rajamouli who is one of the top directors in India. His upcoming film, Globetrotter, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, is already turning heads, and his reputation as a visionary director wumps up the hype even more. Rajamouli is famous for grand tales - like Baahubali or RRR - and pulls in one of the highest pay in the industry. But he is not alone in wealth and influence.
Directors such as Atlee, Mani Ratnam, S. Shankar and Sandeep Reddy Vanga stand out across South India's top movie creators. Their unique styles grab attention - yet it’s their massive budgets that turn heads just as much. While some earn millions per project, others pull in amounts hitting triple-digit crores. As Indian cinema spreads wider, these names aren’t only making local hits - they’re driving worldwide pop culture shifts.
Here is the list of the top 10 most famous and richest film directors in the South Indian industry. Let's take a look at their net worth along with their fees per film.
1. S.S. Rajamouli
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Rajamouli rules Telugu movies, famous for huge hits such as Baahubali and RRR. Reports say he charges ₹200 crore for each movie, sitting on wealth worth several hundred crores. Some sources claim his total income could hit ₹700–1000 crore. People see him as among India’s top-earning filmmakers, also one of the most winning ones.
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2. Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Famous for bold movies such as Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh, Vanga ranks among the wealthiest young filmmakers in South India. Rumour says his wealth is about ₹200–250 crore; plus, he pulls in nearly ₹100 crore per project.
3. S. Shankar
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
S. Shankar’s a big-name filmmaker from Tamil cinema, known for visually grand movies that tackle real-world issues. User stats suggest he's worth roughly ₹200 crore, while each project bags him close to ₹50 crore.
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4. Mani Ratnam
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Mani Ratnam ranks among India’s top movie directors, famous for his lyrical style and movies that win praise from critics. He's said to be worth about ₹140 crore, possibly earning ₹30–40 crore for each project he takes on.
5. A.R. Murugadoss
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Famous for high-energy movies such as Ghajini and Thuppakki, Murugadoss holds a strong influence in Tamil filmmaking. With a net worth sitting near ₹72 crore, sources say he demands ₹40–50 crore for each project.
6. Atlee Kumar
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Atlee became popular after movies such as Raja Rani and Bigil. According to reports, his wealth ranges between ₹40–50 crore; however, he may charge ₹20 crore upfront while earning even ₹100 crore per movie if it does well at cinemas.
7. Prashanth Neel
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Best Known for the KGF movies, Prashanth Neel is now among India’s top-talked-about directors. Reports say he has a net worth of around ₹40 crore while pulling in as much as ₹100 crore per movie - thanks to his big-action films.
8. Sukumar
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Sukumar stands out in Telugu movies thanks to his fresh way of telling stories - like in Rangasthalam or Pushpa. His wealth? Roughly between 20 and 40 crore rupees. When it comes to major projects, studios might pay him as much as 75 crores.
9. Trivikram Srinivas
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
A filmmaker cherished in Tollywood, Trivikram, stands out with witty dialogues - his movies often strike a balance between drama and mass appeal. Worth roughly ₹20–25 crore, he bags about ₹25–30 crore for each project.
10. Koratala Siva
Richest film directors of South India (Image: Instagram)
Koratala Siva makes big crowd-pleasing movies in Telugu that also carry social messages. Even though no clear number is out there, it’s said he charges about ₹18–20 crore per project - putting him near the top when it comes to pay among Southern filmmakers.
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10 Most Famous And Richest Film Directors In South Indian Industry: S.S. Rajamouli, Atlee, Mani Ratnam And Others