The matches are set to begin but in the payment stakes, Varun Dhawan is apparently the clear winner already! Buzz goes that the actor tops the line-up of stars who will perform at the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) set to start on April 7. Everyone from Ranveer Singh to Jacqueline Fernandez and Parineeti Chopra will be adding glam galore to opening night. However, it is Varun who goes home with the fattest paycheck.

While the news has it that Ranveer has been paid approximately Rs.5 crore for his performance at the IPL show, Varun has supposedly been paid much more. In fact, with a near-Rs.6 crore remuneration, he is the highest paid star at IPL.

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The organizers were apparently quite comfortable forking out this generous sum to Varun. Varun’s popularity with audiences is huge and don’t forget, he has only seen hits in his career so far – six years, nine films and not a single flop. The organizers are well aware of his connect with the masses and also the fact that he has the highest number of chartbusters under his belt. This makes him ideal IPL material, as he dances to his recent hits from Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Judwaa 2, among other films. He and Jacqueline are also pegged to perform together for a few songs.

The actor has taken two days off from the shooting of Sui Dhaaga to rehearse for his performance at the IPL opening night. Recently Varun spoke candidly about how consuming his career has been. “It’s very difficult to keep all this going. There’s no time for family or loved ones and that’s worse than anything in the world — to let down my mom or dad because I can’t give them time; to let down any cousin who’s unwell and I’m not able to see them... that’s way more disheartening than anything else. I just feel that now, I’m not there [for them] anymore.

I’m there for the public in a way, and I’m working for them and giving them what they expect. So, being successful is a double-edged sword. It’s not possible to have it all. No matter how hard I try, I do end up disappointing a lot of people and I know I have to live with that.” Being the highest paid must help soothe that pain to some extent!