Cashing in on the popularity of daily soaps and reality shows, these small screen celebrities are laughing all the way to the bank minting big money

They may appear on the small screen and their star power may pale in comparison to Bollywood, but when it comes to fainting on the sets, it is known that instances of TV actors and actresses far outnumber those of film actors. After all, television stars work around 12 hours a day and shoot for at least 20 such days in a month.

Mostly remunerated on a daily basis, these actors and actresses may rake in the moolah, but they also work hard for their pay. Knowing all too well that their shelf-life is limited, they usually shoot for one or two shows and end up earning anywhere between R50,000 to one lakh per day. Unlike in Bollywood, where actors are usually paid higher than actresses, TV stars are paid as per their popularity and not gender. Here's taking a look at the roster of television stars, their claim to fame and current earnings.

Ankita Lokhande

Rs 1 lakh per day
Claim to fame: She is popular as Archana in Pavitra Rishta, which has been on air for five years.
Currently acting in: 'Pavitra Rishta'
Work and play: She made her TV debut with Cinestars ki Khoj. She even participated in the reality dance show, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and has been known to do a lot of event shows. While other actors shoot for 12 hours a day, Ankita shoots only for five hours for Pavitra Rishta. She met her partner, Sushant Singh Rajput, on the sets of the show. She was offered the film, Happy New Year but she wasn't finalised for the project. She owns a Jaguar.

Drashti Dhami

Rs 75,000 per day
Claim to fame: She played Geet in Geet Hui Sabse Parayi.
Currently acting in: 'Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon '
Work and play: A TV actress for four years now, she won Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. Rumours said that Rohit Shetty would cast her in Singham 2, but they were untrue. She shoots 22 days in a month, and owns a Hyundai I-20.

Ronit Roy
Rs 5 lakh per episode
Claim to fame: He played Mihir Virani in the show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Currently acting in: 'Adalat'
Work and play: He shoots twice a week. Ronit got noticed thanks to his work in TV shows, Kasauti Zindagi Ke and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Some of his films include Udaan, The Girl In Yellow Boots, and Shootout at Wadala. He owns an Audi R-8 and an Audi A-8.

Ram Kapoor

Rs 1.25 lakh per day
Claim to fame: He started his career with the TV series Nyay in the late '90s and became popular thanks to the show, Kasam Se. He has also acted in films such as Udaan and Mere Dad Ki Maruti in the recent past.
Currently acting in: Bade Achche Lagte Hai
Work and play: He juggles between Bade Achche... and Bollywood films and is said to shoot for 15 days in a month. He owns a Porsche and a BMW. He is known to avoid interactions with the press.

Mohit Raina

Rs 1.5 lakh per day
Claim to fame: He plays Lord Shiva in the show, Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, which is one of the highest rated shows on television.
Currently acting in: 'Devon Ke Dev Mahadev'
Work and play: Mohit shoots for more than 25 days in a month. He started his television career with the sci-fi serial, Antariksh. He tried his hand at films and starred in a 2008 film, titled Don Muthu Swami, which also starred Mithun Chakraborty. He has been getting offers for films but hasn't signed any Bollywood film so far. He owns a Honda City and recently bought a Ford Endeavour.

Shashank Vyas
Rs 15 lakh per month
Claim to fame: This boy from Ujjain is popular as Jagdish in Balika Vadhu
Currently acting in: 'Balika Vadhu '
Work and play: He gave around 250 auditions before tasting success with a role in this show. He drives a Honda Verna and loves travelling. He also has a huge footwear collection. He put in a cameo in Farah Khan's film, Tees Maar Khan.

Sakshi Tanwar

Rs 1.25 lakh per day
Claim to fame: She played Parvati in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki.
Currently acting in: 'Bade Achche Lagte Hain'
Work and play: One of the most popular television actors, she is considered to be a powerhouse of talent. She shoots for 22 days in a month for the serial Bade Achche Lagte Hain. She started her career as a TV presenter but she got her television break in the year 2000. She has also done a couple of films, including Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi's Mohalla Assi with Sunny Deol, which is yet to release. She is much sought-after among advertisers and has featured in a lot of commercials. A homebody who loves to take weekend breaks, she prefers music to watching television serials.

Rashmi Desai

Rs 75,000 per day
Claim to fame: She is popular as Tapasya from the serial Uttaran.
Current acting in: 'Uttaran'
Work and play: She shoots for 15 to 20 days in a month. She wants to become a filmstar. She has already done a cameo in Salman Khan's Dabangg 2 and has acted in regional cinema, including Bhojpuri, Assamese, Bengali and Manipuri films. She drives a Honda City. She had married actor Nandish Sandhu in 2012 after which she took a break from the show. She is now back on the sets and rumours say that she has been facing problems in her married life.

Gautam Rode
Rs 80, 000 to 1.5 lakh per day
Claim to fame: He is known for playing the titular role in the show, Saraswatichandra.
Currently acting in: 'Saraswatichandra'
Work and play: He has been in the industry for nearly 14 years. He didn't really make it in films, though he has modelled and starred in music videos. He hosted shows such as India's Got Talent and Nach Baliye. Sanjay Leela Bhansali took note of him and cast him in his home production, Saraswati Chandra. The actor drives a Mercedes Sport. He is a shopaholic and loves wearing accessories such as watches, belts and shoes.

Vivian Dsena
Rs 75, 000 per day
Claim to fame: He is popular as RK in the serial Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon.
Currently acting in: 'No show so far'
Work and play: He has quit the serial already and is in talks to star in another television show. He started his television career with Kasam Se and starred in the serial, Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani, where he played a vampire. He has also worked as a model and has done commercials for denims, automobiles and airline companies. He loves playing football and horse riding, and is known to drive a Hyundai Verna.

Siddharth Shukla
Rs 60,000 per day
Claim to fame: He is popular as Shivraj Shekhar in the serial, Balika Vadhu
Currently acting in: 'Balika Vadhu'
Work and play: He shoots for about 20days in a month. He has currently taken a break from the serial to shoot for Karan Johar's film, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. He met Johar on the sets of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, where the filmmaker was so impressed with him that he signed him on for three films. Siddharth, who started out as a model, drives a Mercedes and loves playing and watching football.

Gurmeet Chaudhary

Rs 80,000 per day
Claim to fame: He has been in the television industry for nearly eight years but got recognition for playing Maan in the serial Geet Hui Sabse Parayi.
Currently acting in: No show (Khatron Ke Khiladi will go on air end of this month)
Work and play: He has appeared in Punar Vivah and dance reality shows such as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Nach Baliye. He has just wrapped up shooting for Khatron Ke Khiladi in South Africa. He also performs at awards functions and events along with wife Debina.
Rithvik Dhanjani

Rs 40,000 per day
Claim to fame: His portrayal of Arjun in Pavitra Rishta has won him a fan following
Currently acting in: Pavitra Rishta
Work and play: He has been in the television industry for nearly five years and has worked in serials like Bandini and Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani. The actor got noticed in Pavitra Rishta. He shoots for about 25 days in a month. He loves travelling, playing musical instruments and riding bikes. He also won the dance reality show, Nach Baliye, with girlfriend, Asha Negi. He owns a Renault Duster.

Nakul Mehta
Rs 50,000- 70,000 per day
Claim to fame: He plays Aditya in the television show, Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha.
Currently acting in: 'Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha'
Work and play: He tried his luck in Bollywood with the 2008 film, Haal-e-Dil. Now back in tellywood, he drives a Honda and loves clubbing, writing poems, and travelling. He has appeared in TV commercials, including one with Shah Rukh Khan.

Meet the reality-show stars

Bharati Singh

Rs 1- 2 lakh per day
Claim to fame: She is known for her comic timing in the show, Comedy Circus.
Currently appearing in: 'Comedy Circus'
Work and play: This anchor and stand-up comedian shoots for 15 days in a month and performs at live events on 10 other days. She drives an Audi Q5.

Kapil Sharma
Rs 10 lakh per episode
Claim to fame: He gained popularity with the show, Comedy Circus.
Currently appearing in: 'Comedy Nights with Kapil'
Work and play: He shoots twice a week and drives a Range Rover Evoque. His show, Comedy Nights with Kapil, has topped TRP charts, and is known to attract filmstars seeking to promote their films. He has now signed a three-film contract with Yash Raj Films; the first one to go on the floors is titled Bank Chor.

Manish Paul
Rs 6 lakh per episode
Claim to fame: He entered public consciousness with the reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Currently appearing in: 'Mad in India'
Work and play: Manish Paul also became popular thanks to India's Got Talent. He has acted in films such as Mickey Virus and Tere Bin Laden 2. He started his career as a radio jockey and then went on to become an anchor. He owns an Audi Q5.

Jay Bhanushali

Rs 1 lakh per day
Claim to fame: He was first noticed for his work in the show, Kayamath.
Currently appearing in: 'Dance India Dance'
Work and play: He has also been in the industry for nearly eight years. He started out with Dhoom Machade Dhoom and has also participated in shows like Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and Nach Baliye. The proud owner of an Audi has recently signed a film as well.

Sunil Grover

Rs 5 to 6 lakh per episode
Claim to fame: 'Comedy Nights With Kapil'
Currently appearing in: 'Mad in India'
Work and play: He started his career with Jaspal Bhatti and has hosted shows like Kaun Banega Champu and Kya Aap Panchvi Paas Champu Hai. He has also acted in films such as Dev D, and The Legend of Bhagat Singh. He quit the show, Comedy Nights With Kapil, due to creative differences. He is said to own a BMW.