Bollywood's Highest Tax Payers for 2008 - 09

Akshay Kumar - 31 Crore

Despite flops like Chandni Chowk To China and 8x10 Tasveer, Akshay beat Shah Rukh Khan, the no 1 star tax payer in recent years, Akshay Kumar has topped a new list. Akshay Kumar is now the top taxpayer in Bollywood for the year 2008-09. Having crossed Rs 100 crores as his total earnings for the last financial year – Akshay has apparently paid a total advance tax of Rs 31 crores. Quite a hike considering he paid only Rs 12.5 crore in 2007. Akshay Kumar also was the most well-liked bollywood star last year thumping the entire khan’s aside. Last year he gave much runaway success and become the uppermost earner of the bollywood.

Shah Rukh Khan - 30.99 Crore

In second place is Shah Rukh Khan who may be breathing a sigh of relief? Khan’s tax payout declined marginally this year to Rs 30.99 crore a 1.7% decrease when compared to the Rs 31.5 crore shell out he done in 2007. The King will always remain a king, never mind a minor upset. King Khan has been a number 1 tax payer in the past many years. From being number 1 at the box office to being number 1 as the tax payer, he has seen it all. So, this year’s minor upset of being at number 2 will not annoy him. It will make him work harder to regain his top spot. He is already working towards it with IPL cricket, My Name Is Khan, endorsements, advertises, etc, etc. Looking forward to the next year, King. Sure.

Aamir Khan - 14 Crore

This finicky and fastidious Khan won’t like this spot but what can be done about it. He doesn’t consider himself second or third to King Khan. Never! But this is how things are now at the tax paying list. Although Aamir is ameer, he could only muster a third position. Still, we would say, not bad! For him, the only way is to go up and climb two more rungs on the ladder. The view is pretty good from there. Top class!

Salmaan Khan - 8.6 Crore

Even bad boys become goody goody before the tax man. Sallu miyan is no different. He has been nice enough to file his taxes on time and whoa! The result is amazing. He occupies the fourth position. Good, very good, I must say. If only his movies click at the box office, he will rise again from the ashes. Considering him, that is not a difficult feat. Don’t be naughty Sallu. And no tricks, please. Only treats from you, Watch out for him in 2009!

Rajesh Khanna - 6.87 Crore

Probably, in the history of Bollywood tax payers, both the son-in-law (Akshay) and father-in-law (Rajesh) occupy the same list for the first time this time. Rajesh may not like his sixth position for he has always been on the top – the ultimate superstar. But his ranking is a surprised entry this time. No doubt, he is a rich man. But this year he has been in the list all because of him clearing all his tax arrears till Sept 2008. It must have been a great relief for him. And a pleasure too for upsetting Bachchan, who had upset him from his superstar throne in the 80s. Good going, chinky eye.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - 4.7 Crore

Bachchan Bahu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan featured in 6th place on the list having paid an advance that was higher than the in-laws. Her movies are few and far between (forget about hits). Her endorsements and advertising have been reduced greatly. There is stiff younger breed of competitors. She is ageing. God knows if she is paying taxes for only circulating in the media! Whatever, she has found herself here. So, here she is.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor - 8.6 Crore and 3.6 Crore respectively

Hats off to the first live-in couple (or so they say) of Bollywood. It is the coming of age in Bollywood. Kareena’s movies were so-so but her reach out to the youth is tremendous. She is a great one for style. So, altogether not bad for her to be in the race pipping past Katrina, Priyanka and Deepika. She deserves this spot. Kudos.

Chhote Nawab too has not done badly for himself. He has proved he is chip off the old block. He has been rock steady in his performance and listings. So, here’s wishing this jodi to be here for a long time to come.

Abhishek Bachchan - 3.2 Crore

His films don’t work, but he too is media savvy. Many wonder how he would survive without his famous last name. Is this all to him for acting-wise he will not find himself in any 1-100 list. His performance lasts till the media conferences. At the box-office his films sink faster than a ship. He should be in frantic search of the audiences. But then, he too is somehow here. Wonder how?

Himesh Reshmmiya - 3 Crore

With more singing contracts in hand even his Tax payment has increased. He is a true wonder boy. From singing to acting, he has done it all. And he has endeared himself beyond the Gujju crowd. He does have that something in him. His money-making skills must be music to tax man’s ears. And this is one song, no tax man would forget. They would want Himesh to be here permanently. Composing newer pricey tunes. What say, Himesh? Money money money. It’s funny. It’s rich man’s soul.

Amitabh Bachchan - 1.25 Crore

Well this is actually surprising. Big B seems to be in almost all the movies, advertisements, endorsements and he is paying so less. Of late, Bachchan Sr. has relied heavily on the media. That does help but not in pulling the audience to the theatres. His films have flopped big time. His reach on the media is strong but sadly the same cannot be said of his pull on the movie-going crowd. His performance had lost that pull and punch. He is all shadow and no substance. He is just going through the motions. He must pull up his socks or next year after number 10, he will not be seen in this list. Other more deserving ones will be here.