Rohit Khilnani, Mumbai: If you thought Bollywood was financially the most disorganised industry, think again. Our top Bollywood stars are amongst the highest taxpayers.

This year so far Akshay Kumar has emerged as the highest taxpayer in Bollywood for shelling out Rs 26 crore as income tax, since he signed and completed the maximum number of films last year.

But considering the fact that big wigs like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are yet to file their returns – the figure for the highest taxpayer is expected to be much higher.

The estimate of the tax figure paid by the top seven stars is expected to touch the Rs 100 crore-mark, which indeed will give a boost to the Income Tax Department.

Last year, Amitabh Bachchan paid a whopping Rs 15.59 crore in taxes. This was followed by Hrithik Roshan who paid Rs 15.10 crore. Shah Rukh Khan shelled out Rs 14 crore in taxes while Akshay Kumar paid up Rs 6.60 crore and Kareena Kapoor Rs 2.9 crore.

And last but not the least John Abraham coughed up Rs 1.10 crore as taxes. Bollywood is certainly going the corporate way. Yes, finally almost everything is on paper.

Multi-film deals, stars and their contracts with film studios, multiplexes getting in box office figures – corporate Bollywood has finally arrived.

Bollywood stars might be on the wrong side of the law most of the time but by paying such high taxes they are certainly creating a benchmark. And if you idolise any of these stars, the message is clear – pay you taxes.