Vijayashanti pockets Rs 4 crore pay?

Seasoned actress Vijayashanti has reportedly pocketed Rs 4 crore for her meaty role in recent blockbuster 'Sarileru Neekevvaru' starring superstar Mahesh Babu.

"Actually, she demanded Rs 5 crore since she realized the importance of the role and how her presence would make a difference to the film. After various rounds of negotiations, producer Anil Sunkara agreed to pay Rs 4 crore.

With director Anil Ravipudi insisting on casting her, producer loosened his purse strings to pay her the hefty sum. Mahesh Babu also felt that she would be the right choice to carry the role of an uprigh professor and that helped her to fatten her bank balance," says a source, close to the unit.

Realising that other producers can't afford her remuneration, the national-award winning actress, has resolved to take a break from acting and probably would wait for another 'plum' offer to don the grease paint again," the source points out.

However, during the promotions of 'Sarileru Neekevvaru,' the former superstar stated that she would be continuing her career in the film industry and that she will be doing at least one film every year. But she surprised one and all by deciding to quit films out of the blue.

"I don't know I could get the time to do another film or not, as my journey will continue for the people. For now, I'll take leave," Vijayashanthi had tweeted few weeks ago and ended the tweet with a ''Thank you'' and tagged Superstar Krishna, Superstar Mahesh Babu and Anil Ravipudi.

In fact, top-rung heroines like Kajal, Tamannaah, Pooja Hegde, Kiara Advani and Rakul Preet Singh draw below Rs 2 crore per film. Hence, a fancy pay for a character artiste will take more time to happen again.