Ajith hikes his fee to 17 crore after Mankatha Success

Notwithstanding the fact that he had two big losses in the form of ‘Aegan’ and ‘Asal’ prior to his latest release, actor Ajith has reportedly hiked his fee to a whopping Rs.17 crore, trade circles point out.The actor’s latest film Mankatha has been running to packed houses all over the State and elsewhere and enters its fourth week today. Ajith, who is presently starring in the sequence film Billa-2, has reportedly demanded that he be paid Rs.17 crores for his upcoming film to be produced by producer A.M. Rathnam.

Rathnam has agreed to Ajith’s request as he anticipates the sequel film to hit the bull’s eye at the box-office and in cases if it turns out to be true, Ajit’s fee might increase further! With reports suggesting that the trio of Ajith, Vijay and Suriya are on top of the industry as they charge Rs.15 crore per film, Ajit is clearly the leader of the pack as he has pipped the other two by getting Rs.17 crore for Rathnam’s film.

Two corporate firms are said to be in talks to secure the release and distribution rights of the film Billa-2, it is said. The film has just completed its first schedule of shooting and has a long way to go before being wrapped up. The Hinduja Group, which produces Billa-2, is said to be expecting not less than Rs.50 crore to part with the film’s distribution and release rights.

There is also the possibility of Sun Pictures entering the distribution war by pitching in at the very last moment!