Synopsis: Indian celebrities have successfully slated themselves in the realm of entrepreneurs and investors rather than being mere brand ambassadors. This article explores how leading Indian celebrities have expanded into business and how their influence is taken in India’s startup domain.
The idea of celebrities entering business is not new. For decades, film stars and sports icons have endorsed brands or launched fashion labels. However, the year 2026 is different. Indian celebrities are no longer just the face of a brand, but they want to own it, build it, and scale it. This major move reflects two broader trends.
One is the rapid growth of India’s startups, and the second is the increasing financial sophistication of public figures. Fame offers them visibility, but equity offers them wealth creation and long-term influence. As a result, the Indian celebrity is part entertainer, part entrepreneur, and part investor.
Brand Faces Now Behind the Brands
Celebrities often earn substantial income through brand endorsements and being the face of a brand. However, the 2020s showed us a major shift where they are toward ownership and equity participation. By 2026, that transition has matured into a full-fledged entrepreneurial wave. Today’s celebrities are equally investing capital and co-creating products and taking an interest in growth strategies.
India’s startup domain is expanding rapidly, and now celebrities see business as both a diversification strategy and an opportunity. This transformation has given rise to a new category and is the celebrity investor entrepreneur.
1. Shah Rukh Khan: Red Chillies Entertainment & KKR
Shah Rukh Khan is one of the earliest and most successful examples of a celebrity who stepped into business. His production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, has grown into a major content studio. Khan additionally co-owns the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders and has turned sports investment into a global branding platform.
He has been associated with luxury spirits brand D’YAVOL and children’s entertainment formats such as KidZania India. His investment style shows a diversification of media, sports, and consumer brands. Rather than betting on a single sector, Khan has spread risk across industries.
2. Alia Bhatt: Ed-a-Mamma
Alia Bhatt launched Ed-a-Mamma, which is a sustainable kidswear brand focused on environmentally responsible materials. The brand later expanded into personal care and baby products. Her approach to investing is quite appreciable as it merges with sustainability.
When Reliance Retail acquired a majority stake in her brand, it validated the scalability of celebrity-founded D2C labels. As an investor, Bhatt focuses on brand values, consumer trust, and sustainable growth rather than aggressive expansion.
3. Deepika Padukone: 82°E
Deepika Padukone co-founded the self-care brand 82°E and entered the premium skincare market. Apart from her own business venture, she has invested in brands such as Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters and Epigamia. Padukone’s investment style is indeed diversified, but it is also disciplined. She looks for scalable business models with strong fundamentals rather than speculative ventures.
4. Shraddha Kapoor: Palmonas
Shraddha Kapoor is the co-founder of demi-fine jewellery brand Palmonas. The brand caters to affordable luxury consumers and showcases a unique range of modernized traditional jewellery to trendy pieces. Her business approach centres on relatability and aspirational pricing.
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5. Ranveer Singh: SuperYou
Ranveer Singh is both an investor and co-founder of SuperYou, which is a nutrition brand that offers protein wafers, chips, and supplements. The brand targets health-conscious youth.
He has also invested in brands such as boAt (audio electronics), Sugar Cosmetics (beauty), and Bold Care (men’s wellness). Singh focuses primarily on youth-focused consumer businesses with strong branding potential.
6. Virat Kohli: Wrogn
Virat Kohli has built a portfolio including his fashion label Wrogn, where he is the co-founder, and the One8 brand extensions into athleisure and hospitality. He has also invested in plant-based food startups. Kohli’s investment model is highly brand-synergistic, which aligns closely with fitness, youth culture, and aspirational living.
Impact on India’s Startup Industry
Celebrity investments offer visibility, consumer trust, and faster market penetration. A startup backed by a well-known public figure often gains immediate recognition, which reduces marketing costs and attracts investors.
Conclusion
Indian celebrities are now founders, equity holders, and investors across industries. Starting from Shah Rukh Khan’s media empire and Alia Bhatt’s sustainability-focused brand to Deepika Padukone’s organized investing and Ranveer Singh’s nutrition venture SuperYou, the business industry is witnessing powerful forces. The modern Indian celebrities are entertainers, along with being stakeholders in India’s economic future.
