Here’s a look at the top music directors in India in 2025-26, focusing on who earns the highest fees and how the landscape is shifting. Because exact numbers are often private or approximate, much of this is based on reports, estimates, and trade-insider info.
Who’s Earning Big & How Much
- Mithoon
Recently, Mithoon secured a deal for ₹25 crore for one soundtrack/album — the highest fee reported so far for a single composer-album in Indian cinema. - Anirudh Ravichander
Previously India’s top-paid musician, Anirudh charged ₹10 crore for the album of Jawan. For later projects like Leo and Jailer, his fee fell around ₹8 crore. - A.R. Rahman
The long-standing legend still commands top fees. He reportedly charges about ₹7-8 crore per significant film, sometimes more (especially when also performing vocals). - Devi Sri Prasad (DSP)
In the Telugu/South Indian film world, DSP is among the highest-paid. Reports say he charges around ₹3-3.5 crore for major films, and in some high budget projects this may rise further. - MM Keeravani
Also a veteran and hugely respected. His fees are reportedly in the ballpark of ₹2 crore for certain big Telugu films. - Thaman S
Another South Indian composer on the rise. He’s been reported to charge up to ₹1.5 crore for some projects.
Top 10 (Approximate) Highest-Paid Music Directors: 2025-26
Here’s a rough ranking of who is likely among the top earners, based on available data and estimates:
| Rank | Music Director / Composer | Reported or Estimated Fee Range* |
| 1 | Mithoon | ~ ₹25 crore (single album) |
| 2 | Anirudh Ravichander | ~ ₹10 crore (album/project) |
| 3 | A.R. Rahman | ~ ₹7-8 crore+ for big films |
| 4 | Devi Sri Prasad | ~ ₹3-3.5 crore in Telugu / South projects |
| 5 | MM Keeravani | ~ ₹2 crore or more depending on film |
| 6 | Thaman S | ~ ₹1.5 crore (rising with big hits) |
| 7 | Pritam | Under ₹5 crore in many reports for films, though net worth and royalties also make him rich. |
| 8 | Vishal-Shekhar | Similarly in the lower crores for top films. |
| 9 | Yuvan Shankar Raja | In South India, fees are somewhat lower but still in multiple crores depending on project. |
| 10 | Others / Rising Composers | Individuals who are quoting high fees or breaking out (younger regional composers, etc.) often start from ₹1-3 crore depending on scale. |
* Fee = what producers reportedly pay per project or album/song; many details are subject to change and negotiation.
What’s Changing (Why Fees Are Rising)
- Pan-India and multilingual films have broadened markets; composers who can appeal across linguistic boundaries find more negotiating power.
- Streaming & OTT platforms are creating additional revenue streams, making soundtracks more valuable over time (royalties, reuse, etc.).
- Music rights and background scores are being considered more crucial, so composers who also handle large parts of the score or retain rights negotiate better terms.
- Brand value & hit rate matter a lot: composers with recent chartbusters, big songs, or strong social media presence are able to command higher fees.
- Zero or low entry barrier for younger talent in digital space also forces established composers to increase fee threshold to justify the investment.
Read more: Top Business Magazine
