While viral celebrity moments like the widely discussed Anurag Dobhal accident rumors show how quickly online fame can rise and fall, Bollywood’s top stars have found a smarter way to use their popularity.
They are building businesses that keep earning money even when they are not on screen. Today, almost every major Bollywood star runs a brand, owns a startup or holds shares in a growing company.
Shah Rukh Khan: The Man Who Owns It All
Shah Rukh Khan runs Red Chillies Entertainment, his production and visual effects company. It creates films and also provides VFX services to other big productions. Beyond that, SRK co-owns the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL team, which is now worth an estimated ₹5,000 crore or more.
Khan also holds stakes in talent management firm KWAN Entertainment and several tech businesses. Reports suggest his total business value outside of acting exceeds ₹2,000 crore.
Deepika Padukone: Skincare That Actually Sells
Deepika Padukone co-founded 82°E, a premium skincare brand launched in 2022. The brand focuses on South Asian skin types and clean ingredients. Reports suggest 82°E crossed ₹100 crore in revenue within its second full year.
Deepika is not just the face of the brand she is actively involved in running it. She also co-founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which works on mental health awareness and has helped her connect with health and wellness brands.
Akshay Kumar: Fitness, Films and Gaming
Akshay Kumar has invested in fitness, digital health platforms and gaming businesses. His production company, Cape of Good Films, makes content for both theatres and OTT platforms. He also holds equity stakes in many brands he endorses meaning he earns long-term ownership value, not just a one-time fee.
Kumar regularly reinvests his high endorsement earnings into consumer brands, health tech and media companies. His entry into mobile esports aligns well with his popularity among younger audiences.
Hrithik Roshan: The HRX Success Story
Hrithik Roshan co-founded HRX in 2013 as a fitness and lifestyle brand. It sells clothing, gym accessories and fitness equipment through Myntra. Reports suggest HRX crossed ₹500 crore in gross merchandise value on the platform alone.
HRX proved that a celebrity brand in India can compete on product quality not just on a famous name. Many younger stars later tried to build similar brands, inspired by HRX’s success.
Katrina Kaif: Kay Beauty’s ₹200 Crore Journey
Katrina Kaif partnered with Nykaa to launch Kay Beauty in 2019. The brand offers makeup and skincare products that suit a wide range of budgets and skin tones. Reports suggest Kay Beauty crossed ₹200 crore in annual revenue by 2024.
Kaif holds an equity stake and plays an active role in decisions about products and marketing. The brand later expanded into skincare, reducing its dependence on makeup trends alone.
Alia Bhatt: The Big Exit at Ed-a-Mamma
Alia Bhatt founded Ed-a-Mamma in 2021 a children’s clothing brand built on sustainable and organic fabrics. The brand grew fast. Reliance Retail bought a majority stake in 2022 for a reported ₹170–₹200 crore, giving Alia a strong early return on her investment.
She kept a minority stake and her brand connection after the sale. Alia also backs early-stage startups and has spoken publicly about building a long-term investment portfolio beyond acting.
Ranveer Singh: Sports, Street Style and Esports
Ranveer Singh co-owns the Pune Stallions franchise in the Premier Badminton League. He holds equity positions in fashion and food brands, earning long-term stakes instead of flat endorsement fees. Reports suggest he also invested in esports properties during India’s gaming boom between 2022 and 2024.
His production company focuses on OTT content a smart move as the economics of theatrical releases become harder for mid-budget films.
