South Cinema’s Million-Dollar Melodies: Most Expensive Songs in South Indian Cinema

75 Crore

Set to be the most expensive song ever in Indian cinema, The Calendar Song from the upcoming film Indian 2 has shattered all records with a reported budget of ₹75 crore. Directed by Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan, the film’s soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his first collaboration with the director. The song is said to feature Amy Jackson and is expected to be a visual treat with state-of-the-art production, massive sets, and heavy CGI work.

20 Crore

From the high-octane sequel 2.0, this futuristic romantic track was a visual marvel. Featuring Rajinikanth and Amy Jackson, Enthira Logathu Sundariye stood out for its grand scale and heavy VFX integration. With a reported budget of ₹20 crore, it became the costliest song ever in Indian cinema. The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, capturing a techno-romantic vibe that matched the film’s sci-fi narrative.

 6 Crore

Kilimanjaro, from the 2010 sci-fi blockbuster Enthiran directed by S. Shankar, is a vibrant and quirky number featuring Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai. Composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Pa. Vijay, and vocals by Javed Ali and Chinmayi, the song was filmed at the picturesque Machu Picchu in Peru. Its tribal theme, elaborate sets, costumes, and international location made it one of the most expensive Indian songs at the time, with a production cost of ₹6 crore.

5 Crore

From Shankar’s romantic thriller I, the song Ladio was a dazzling mix of style and sound. Sung by Nikhita Gandhi and penned by Madhan Karky, this track featured actress Amy Jackson in a glamorous avatar. The vibrant sets, VFX work, and stylish choreography reportedly took the song’s cost to ₹5 crore. A. R. Rahman's catchy composition added further charm to the visual extravaganza.

5 Crore

A sizzling number from Pushpa: The Rise (2021), Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava created massive buzz across languages. Featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu in a bold and captivating avatar alongside Allu Arjun, the song became an internet sensation. Composed by Devi Sri Prasad and sung by Indravathi Chauhan, the Tamil version Oo Solriya also received immense popularity. The production cost reportedly touched ₹5 crore, making it one of the most expensive item songs in South India.