With the record-breaking success of Stree 2, Shraddha Kapoor is now officially one of the most bankable and sought-after names in Indian cinema. As offers poured in from both top Hindi and South banners, the actress selected a female-led high-concept thriller produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Tumbbad‘s visionary, Rahi Anil Barve — a bold smart decision.
A ₹17 Cr Decision — With Profit Share to Boot
Sources in the trade confirm that Shraddha has taken an initial fee of ₹17 crore — one of the highest acting fees for a female lead in Hindi cinema at present — reportedly higher than Alia Bhatt and Kiara Advani and only second to Deepika Padukone.
“Ekta Kapoor was certainly happy to splurge ₹17 crore to sign Shraddha,” a source in the trade explained.
“The Rahi Anil Barve film is Shraddha’s next after Stree 2, and the expectations are through the roof.”
But that is not all.
The deal also includes a profit share clause, which means that Shraddha will earn a certain percentage of the net profits from the film after theatrical release — a structure that is typically reserved for the biggest male stars in the industry and the top actresses like Deepika and Priyanka.
The Film: High on Concept, Grounded in Risk
In pre-production, this untitled film is set to go to camera by September 2025. Plot details are being kept from the public; however, we do know three things:
- It will be female-led
- It will be thriller-driven
- It is from the director of Tumbbad, a cult classic genre film
Together, with that combination of Kapoor, one should expect a film that is fresh, edgy, and commercially viable in a space that intersects psychological horror and social commentary.
Kapoor x Kapoor x Barve = Buzz
This is the first time the two Kapoors are collaborating, and Ekta Kapoor is no rookie to launching culturally disruptive stories.
With Stree 2 breaking records and her audience connection hitting high, Shraddha’s decision to go with a bold solo film instead of a franchise-safe role has created immediate buzz in trade and digital circles.
As for Rahi Anil Barve, merely saying his name creates intrigue — Tumbbad remains one of the most artistically revered genre films — it is a film the industry continues to celebrate.
BoxOfficeWorldwide Verdict
With the announcement, Shraddha Kapoor has done more than make a power move: she has completely changed the female pay narrative in Bollywood.
A ₹17 crore fee plus profit share for a female-led, non-franchise, original thriller? That is genre-defying, gender-defying, and game-changing.
This is a huge bet — and if it pays off, it has the potential to change the entire paradigm for the value of actresses, based not only on their stardom but also on their narrative-carrying ability.
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