Startups, OTT, real estate and more: Bollywood stars diversify their investments, build wealth beyond film salaries
Bollywood stars are building wealth beyond film salaries and brand endorsements. Many now invest in startups, property, sports teams and companies they own. These investments create income even when actors are away from film sets.
Startups have become a popular choice. Stars increasingly want ownership in businesses rather than only promoting their products.
Katrina Kaif launched Kay Beauty in partnership with Nykaa. Priyanka Chopra was an early investor in Bumble. Shraddha Kapoor has also backed brands and startups with hopes of future growth.
Alia Bhatt built Ed-a-Mamma, a children’s clothing brand. Reliance later acquired a major stake in the company. She has also invested in Nykaa and Phool.co. Hrithik Roshan created HRX, which grew into a recognised activewear brand.
Deepika Padukone invests through her company, Ka Enterprises. Her investments include Epigamia, BluSmart and Supertails. She has also launched the skincare brand 82°E.
Property remains another favourite investment. Actors buy apartments, offices and land across different cities. These real estate assets can provide rent and an increase in value over time. In Mumbai, celebrities rent commercial properties to companies in Bandra, Andheri and Juhu.
Kriti Sanon and her family reportedly earned significant profits by selling apartments in Andheri West. The Bachchan family has invested beyond Mumbai, including land in Pune and Ayodhya. Some actors have also invested in projects by Sri Lotus Developers.
Sports ownership offers another route to building wealth. Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta’s involvement with the IPL is a major example. Celebrities increasingly view these teams as assets that can grow over many years.
SRK’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have won the IPL trophy thrice so far, trailing only behind Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. In July, the Knight Riders Group opened the Knight Riders Cricket Ground at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.
Movies and web series
Production houses allow actors to earn through ownership of films, web series, and other OTT content. For example, Anushka Sharma’s Clean Slate Filmz has produced Paatal Lok, a celebrated web series on Prime Video, and the Netflix film, Bulbbul.
Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions has co-produced the Netflix film, Darlings. It also co-produced Jigra, a theatrical release.
Hrithik Roshan has recently launched HRXFilms. It has partnered with Prime Video. Its upcoming productions include Storm, a thriller series about five women, and Mess, an offbeat comedy.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment produce a wide range of content.
Income comes from streaming, television rights, overseas distribution and digital licensing. Such earnings can continue long after a film leaves cinemas.
Some stars also invest in pre-IPO companies before they go public. Investors hope the company’s value will rise after its shares are listed.
Reports suggest Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have explored such opportunities through advisers. These investments carry risks although successful companies can deliver significant returns.
