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When we think about Indian actors, the image that usually pops up in our heads are that of sultry red carpet appearances, blockbuster movies and starry endorsements. But in recent years, many stars of Bollywood and regional cinema are going one step further and entering the world of business and entrepreneurship by launching their own successful startups.
With an increasing startup culture in India, many actors have also taken to investing, co-founding and even establishing their own successful ventures. This list of companies represents a range of industries, from fashion, fitness and food delivery to wellness and tech, among others. Their forays illustrate how celebrities can be more than mere brand ambassadors; they can make savvy business partners, too.
Here’s a look at some of the top Indian actors who have carved a name for themselves in the startup ecosystem.
1. Deepika Padukone – 82°E and Ka Enterprises
Deepika Padukone is among the handful of Indian celebrities who has created a brand that is an extension of her personal philosophy and life choices. In 2022, she co-launched 82°E, a self-care and skincare brand. The label is centered around holistic well-being, melding traditional Indian techniques with contemporary science. The range from 82°E offers face oils, serums, and sunscreen, encouraging people to take more time for skincare.
Deepika also operates Ka Enterprises, her investment vehicle through which she has backed a slew of fast-growing startups like Epigamia (Greek yogurt), Furlenco (furniture rental) and Blu Smart (electric ride-sharing). Her strategy isn’t all about capital, it’s about bringing solid and modern consumer brands into sustainable reality that she can also support and get behind.
2. Shah Rukh Khan – KidZania India and Red Chillies Entertainment (Expanding into Tech)
International superstar and King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan is a wise businessman too. His production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, is a known entity, but he also introduced the global edutainment brand KidZania to India. KidZania is an indoor theme park that looks like a scaled-down city, where children can try out different professions by pretending to do them.
While Red Chillies is largely focussed on entertainment, it has been into technology and VFX, redefining the dynamics of Indian films and digital content. SRK has always gone out of his way to mix creativity with business acumen and his companies are both successful and cutting edge.
3. Alia Bhatt – Ed-a-Mamma
Alia Bhatt made her entrepreneurship debut with Ed-a-Mamma, a sustainable clothing brand for children. The 2020-founded startup is focused on eco-friendly fashion derived from organic material, free from toxic chemicals and plastics. She wanted to provide Indian parents with an affordable and conscientious option on children’s clothing.
In only a few years, Ed-a-Mamma has grown rapidly and caught the eye of retail giants. It has evolved into one of India’s fastest-growing sustainable kidswear brands. Reliance Retail picked up a majority stake in Ed-a-Mamma in 2023, endorsing its commercial appeal.
4. Suniel Shetty – Fitness & Wellness Ventures
Fitness and wellness have been a part of Suniel Shetty’s identity on and off screen. He’s translated that image into business, investing into and advising several health and fitness startups. One of his projects is SQUATS, a fitness tech platform where people get personalized nutrition and workout recommendations.
He’s also the co-founder of FCB Ulka’s wellness vertical and advises brands in organic food and supplements category. Suniel Shetty is involved not just as an investor, but also in the development of the product, branding and strategy.
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5. Riteish Deshmukh – Imagine Meats
Riteish Deshmukh and his wife Genelia D’Souza are co-founders of Imagine Meats, a plant-based meat startup. It’s a sustainable, cruelty-free alternative to traditional meat products and the brand is hoping to help shrink the environmental footprint in the most delicious way possible. Imagine Meats, founded in 2021, is designed to serve the booming vegan and vegetarian protein sector in India.
The couple’s business taps into international food trends, and serves an environmentally conscious customer base. Imagine Meats has products from plant-based kebabs, keemas and nuggets- for vegetarians and vegans that replicate the taste and feel of real meat.
6. Malaika Arora – SARVA Yoga and Nude Bowl
Malaika Arora has been a staunch advocate for fitness and wellbeing. She’s an investor and strategic adviser in SARVA, a yoga-based startup. SARVA is looking to connect with millennials through digital content and immersive studio practices for making yoga accessible.
She also introduced Nude Bowl, a cloud kitchen delivering healthful nutrient-dense bowls. Her businesses are geared towards achieving wellness in mind, body and spirit, which embody her beliefs in fitness, balance, and a weight centred diet.
7. Ayushmann Khurrana – The Man Company (TMC)
Ayushmann Khurrana joins Hands with The Man Company: Men’s grooming brand. The Man Company has got a celebrity supporter in Ayushmann Khurrana.The actor has collaborated with the company and also invested in it. And his commitment goes far beyond simply endorsing the brand; he’s an invested partner who is helping to influence both its product offerings and placement in the market.
With a clean brand identity and an ever-increasing product assortment, the brand has quickly gained followers among urban males. The success of TMC stands testimony to Ayushmann’s knack of finding emerging lifestyle narratives in India.
8. Anushka Sharma – Nush and Clean Beauty Ventures
Sharma founded her own line of clothing in 2017 Nush, which is aimed at the young Indian woman, who wants to look trendy with casual clothing. The brand sells on e-commerce platforms like Myntra and offline retail chains. Her clothing label promotes comfort and affordability, which most times reflects her personal style.
Apart from this, Anushka is also said to be venturing into the clean beauty and cruelty-free skincare space, details of which are kept under wraps. Her business is a mixture of style, and social consciousness.
9. Priyanka Chopra – Anomaly Haircare
Though now based worldwide, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the startup space, thanks to the 2021 launch of her haircare brand Anomaly. The brand, known for its clean formulas, sustainable packaging (recycled materials) and affordability, is a standout.
Anomaly was first introduced in the U.S at Target then it moved globally in places like India. Priyanka’s product range has been lauded for shaking up the luxury beauty market with an emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability.
10. Aamir Khan – Paani Foundation
Not a business startup in the conventional sense but a social entrepreneurial enterprise, the Paani Foundation, established by Aamir Khan and his wife, Kiran Rao. It is committed to ending India’s water crisis, developing woman-centered solutions, and transforming rural communities through watershed development.
The charity advocates water saving at a grass roots level and through groundbreaking awareness campaigns. However, it is not-for-profit, and also embodies the entrepreneur’s instinct of tackling big problems at scale.
Final Thoughts
Indian actors are increasingly entering the business world not just as investors, but as hands-on founders and visionaries. Their upstarts also run the gamut, from fitness to fashion and wellness to sustainability. What distinguishes a lot of these celeb-led startups is a dedication to providing long-term brand value and authenticity, and a connection to consumers that feels fresh.
With India’s startup ecosystem booming, these actor entrepreneurs continue to inspire others and showcase on the web that passion is best when blended with purpose. Whether you’re a wannabe magnate or just interested in how some of Bollywood’s largest talents are creating businesses, these are the kind of examples that show innovation and stardom don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
