She Earned ₹5,000 as a Teacher, Now One of the Highest-Paid Actresses — Do You Know Her?
She Earned ₹5,000 as a Teacher, Now One of the Highest-Paid Actresses — Do You Know Her?
In Indian cinema, sustaining long-term success as an actress has never been easy. While male stars often dominate screens for decades, opportunities for women have traditionally been limited. Yet, Anushka Shetty has defied these odds with perseverance, talent, and impactful roles, cementing her place as one of South India’s most respected and bankable stars.
Before entering films, Anushka reportedly lived a modest life. Some accounts suggest she once worked as a schoolteacher in Bengaluru, earning around ₹5,000 a month — a detail that, though unconfirmed, is often cited to highlight her humble beginnings.
Her acting debut came in 2006 with Rendu opposite R. Madhavan. She quickly made her mark in both Tamil and Telugu cinema, starring alongside top actors including Rajinikanth, Vijay, Suriya, Vikram, Nagarjuna, Prabhas, and Allu Arjun.
The real breakthrough arrived in 2009 with Arundhati, a fantasy thriller that showcased her ability to lead a film on her own. This was followed by the historic success of Baahubali (2015) and Baahubali 2 (2017), where her portrayal of Devasena brought her pan-India recognition and global acclaim.
Anushka is also known for taking bold risks. In 2015, she starred in Inji Iduppazhagi (Size Zero in Telugu), playing a plus-sized woman and even gaining weight specifically for the role. The performance earned praise for its honesty, challenging conventional beauty standards in mainstream cinema.
In recent years, she has been selective with her projects, focusing on strong scripts. After appearances in Ghaati, she is now stepping into Malayalam cinema with the fantasy drama Kathanar: The Wild Sorcerer.
Today, Anushka stands among the highest-paid actresses in South India, commanding between ₹5–6 crore per film. Her journey from a modest start to becoming a pan-India icon is a story of resilience, smart choices, and fearless performances.
Anushka Shetty’s career is more than just a tale of glamour — it is proof that staying power in cinema comes from talent, courage, and the determination to break barriers.
