Stars ka dum

If a top star earns Rs8 crores (Dhs6.84m) for a film, he gets to earn thrice as much on a TV show. No wonder so many Bolly stars are moving to TV - less prestigious perhaps, but far more lucrative. It may mean more hours of rehearsals on the sets, but our stars are as hungry for cash as they are thirsty for the art. And so they continue to compete in another playing field - the small screen.

Excitement factor

Salman Khan
He has not disappointed his fans in 10 Ka Dum on Sony. Plus, he now has a new set of friends from the show, whom he loves to party with at his Panvel farmhouse - part of the festivities (we hear) includes jumping into the pool at 3am!

USP: Salman is endearing with the contestants and loves to play up to the image of the guy-next-door. Trying to prove he can multitask like SRK, is he?

Moneywise: The prize money of this show is the highest ever at Rs10 crores (Dhs8.55m). Salman was due Rs90 crores (Dhs76.9m) for 100 episodes. Now that the show's popular, Salman wants at least one crore (Dhs855,380) per episode.

Family package

Kajol-Ajay
One wouldn't expect the haughty Kajol to do a show on TV, but then again, if that's where all the money is at, then the stars can't be far behind! Ajay-Kajol were the judges on Rock ‘N' Roll Family on Zee along with Kajol's mum Tanuja and sis Tanisha. They couldn't quite weave the Bachchan family magic, nor were they appreciated for their dancing skills, but all said and done, the crowd was curious and they managed to pull it off!

USP: The family's sincerity. They are not the best when it comes to chemistry but their acting skills came handy on this reality show. Kajol often got emotional and even cried on camera - all part of the drama!

Moneywise: The winner walked away with prize money of Rs50 lakhs (Dhs427,735). And the buzz is Kajol and Ajay have received Rs10 crores (Dhs8.55m) each to be judges.

Proving a point

Shah Rukh Khan
Apart from the huge money he was going to receive, there was a point to prove to Big B when SRK took on KBC. SRK did sit on Big B's chair but didn't make an attempt to step into his shoes. Instead, he did his own thing. About Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai? he says, "Paanchvi Pass is more my thing. Had this show been done first I would've been considered more original." But he's proved his point. Two shows running at the same time on Star and raking in the TRP. Big B jealous?

USP: SRK's confidence, his gift of the gab, his two individual personas for the two shows and faith in his fan following.

Moneywise: The prize money for KBC3 is Rs2 crores (Dhs1.71m). Prize money for Paanchvi is Rs5 crores (Dhs4.27m). The latter should reap Rs18 crores (Dhs15.3m) from phone calls only, leave alone advertisers. SRK gets Rs85 crores (Dhs72.7m) for KBC (Paanchvi is no less!).

Back in reckoning

Urmila Matondkar
The actress's film career is not exactly in the limelight at the moment. So TV is the next best thing for her. Vaar Parivar on Sony might not be on the top of the TRP charts but Urmila sure shows she knows how to handle a dance competition. The squabbles on the sets have added to the show's ‘drama' and popularity factor!

USP: Urmila's presence and the tiffs.

Moneywise: Urmila is earning Rs7 crores (Dhs5.98m).

Terrifying but true

Akshay Kumar
The actor has just finished shooting for Fear Factor that will be aired on Viacom 18's new channel Colours. He had 13 actresses with him who tried to out do each other in dramatic stunts.

USP: With a martial arts and sports background, Akshay is expected to pull off this daredevil show with ease.

Moneywise: Akshay has been paid Rs1.5 crores (Dhs1.2m) per episode. (Now you know why Salman wants more cash!)