Salman Khan may not have a film release this year but that will definitely not affect his annual income. The superstar is all set to become the top-paid television personality, with his per-episode remuneration reportedly increased to Rs.5 crore for the seventh season of Bigg Boss. Salman's pay packet this year is exactly double of what he earned last year - Rs.2.5 crore.
The show will go on air in mid September and will have Salman in a double role presenting himself as an angel as well as a devil.
According to sources, the actor's new contract has a total remuneration of Rs.130 crore for season seven. He will be shooting two episodes per week, in which he will be seen in his diametrically opposite avatar, highlighting the theme of the show - heaven and hell.
The channel has brought forward the airing of the show to September from the usual month of October because Salman insisted on finishing shooting for the show before the decision on his legal cases. The trial for his 2002 hitand-run case will begin in August and the actor is prepared to finish the shooting in three months.
With the increased remuneration, Salman has taken a lead from Aamir Khan, who was till now the highest paid actor on TV. For the reality chat show Satyamev Jayate, Aamir had reportedly charged Rs.3 crore per episode. Amitabh Bachchan was paid around Rs.2.5 crore per episode for hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati's last season.
He will be back with the seventh season of the show in August.
The official spokesperson of Colors, the channel that airs Bigg Boss, refused to comment on the remuneration of Salman.
"The channel has plans to make the show an extravagant affair and the format will be grand this year. There are some unlikely names who will participate in the show," the channel spokesperson said.
