Mumbai, Aug. 7 -- Some of India's most prominent promoters are among the highest-paid executives in the country. Others take no salary at all.

A Mint analysis of Nifty 50 companies reveals a stark divide in how promoters who actively run their firms pay themselves. While some draw hefty compensation packages, others forgo salaries entirely. Yet in both camps, most earn far more through dividends than through direct pay.

At the top of the pay scale are three automotive industry veterans: Pawan Munjal of Hero MotoCorp, Rajiv Bajaj of Bajaj Auto, and Sidhartha Lal of Eicher Motors. Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV and KM Mammen of MRF Ltd also rank among the highest-paid promoters in India's listed space.

On the opposite end are promoters such a...