By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has scripted history yet again. After clinching his first National Award earlier this year, the 59-year-old actor has become the first billionaire from the Hindi film industry on the Hurun India Rich List 2025, with an estimated net worth of ₹12,490 crore.
The feat, announced on Tuesday, crowns decades of Khan’s relentless work both on and off the silver screen. Known as Bollywood’s ‘Badshah’, Khan has transformed his stardom into a formidable business empire through Red Chillies Entertainment and his co-ownership of the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL franchise.
Beyond films: A brand empire
Khan’s wealth engine runs on multiple cylinders. Red Chillies Entertainment, his production house and VFX powerhouse, has delivered box-office blockbusters while servicing global-scale projects. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders has expanded its brand presence not only in the IPL but also internationally, solidifying Khan’s stature as a businessman as much as an actor.
Industry watchers say Khan’s achievement exemplifies the changing dynamics of India’s entertainment economy, where stardom increasingly merges with corporate strategies.
Bollywood’s other wealth leaders
Khan’s leap into the billionaire bracket has not overshadowed other industry stalwarts. The Hurun list shows several familiar names consolidating their positions:
Juhi Chawla and family: ₹7,790 crore, largely from Knight Riders Sports and joint ventures.
Hrithik Roshan: ₹2,160 crore, anchored by his fitness and lifestyle brand HRX.
Karan Johar: ₹1,880 crore, powered by Dharma Productions and diversified stakes.
Amitabh Bachchan: ₹1,630 crore, debuting on the list with production ventures and high-value real estate holdings.
These entries highlight how entertainment ventures, when coupled with investments, create long-term wealth in India’s financial landscape.
Industrial giants still dominate
While Khan’s milestone is remarkable, India’s wealth pyramid continues to be led by industrial titans. Mukesh Ambani and family top the list with ₹9.55 lakh crore, followed by Gautam Adani and family with ₹8.15 lakh crore.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Tech, holds third place with ₹2.84 lakh crore, also earning the distinction of being India’s richest woman.
Start-up boom and young billionaires
The Hurun India Rich List 2025 also reflects the rise of young wealth creators driving India’s start-up boom. Notable names include:
Aravind Srinivas (31), CEO of AI firm Perplexity – ₹21,190 crore (youngest billionaire).
Aadit Palicha (23) and Kaivalya Vohra (22), co-founders of Zepto – ₹5,380 crore and ₹4,480 crore respectively.
Ritesh Agarwal (31) of PRISM (OYO) – ₹14,400 crore.
Innovators in fintech and cybersecurity such as Rohan Gupta (26; SG Finserve, ₹1,140 crore), Shashvat Nakrani (27; BharatPe, ₹1,340 crore), and Trishneet Arora (30; TAC Security, ₹1,820 crore).
The presence of young entrepreneurs underscores the shift from traditional industries to technology, e-commerce, and new-age sectors as engines of wealth creation.
Shah Rukh Khan’s entry as Bollywood’s first billionaire is more than a personal achievement. It signals the growing financial muscle of India’s entertainment industry within the nation’s broader wealth narrative. With his unique blend of cinematic charisma and strategic business ventures, Khan has cemented his place not just in the annals of cinema but also in India’s corporate history.
