Shah Rukh Khan knocks Virat Kohli off top in India’s celebrity brand race

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has reclaimed the top spot in India’s celebrity brand rankings, overtaking former No. 1 Virat Kohli, according to the annual Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025 by consultancy firm Kroll.

Shah Rukh Khan leads the ranking with an estimated brand value of $177.9 million, despite having no theatrical release since Dunki in 2023. His strong endorsement portfolio and growing digital influence have helped him regain the crown, underscoring the enduring commercial power of one of Bollywood’s biggest stars.

The actor is set to return to the big screen in December with King, directed by Siddharth Anand.

Ranveer Singh ranks second with a brand value of $162.9 million, buoyed by the commercial success of Dhurandhar. Kohli, who topped the previous edition, has slipped to third with a brand value of $158.4 million.

Cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni occupy fourth and fifth places, valued at $125.9 million and $107.5 million, respectively. Dhoni’s rise was driven in part by a notable increase in endorsement activity.

Among female celebrities, Alia Bhatt remains the highest-ranked, with a brand value of $93.2 million, placing her sixth overall. She also ranks ahead of her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor, whose brand value stands at $80 million, placing him 10th.

The remaining spots in the top 10 are occupied by Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan.

Kroll estimates that the combined brand value of India’s top 25 celebrities stood at nearly $2 billion, down 3.7% from the previous year. The ranking includes 13 men and 12 women, with brand strength assessed on the basis of endorsement portfolios and social media presence.

Vinit Karnik, business head at GroupM ESP, said India’s celebrity endorsement landscape continues to evolve. While established stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli continue to command powerful brands, a new generation of digitally driven celebrities is rapidly expanding its influence.

Khan’s return to the top, after a year dominated by cricket’s biggest name, highlights the staying power of his brand—and the growing importance of digital reach alongside traditional entertainment visibility.