Bollywood’s King of Romance Becomes a Global Billionaire
Shah Rukh Khan, one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema, has achieved a remarkable milestone — he is now officially a billionaire. The Hurun India Rich List 2025 estimates the 59-year-old actor’s net worth at $1.4 billion (£1.03 billion), placing him among the world’s wealthiest celebrities, alongside the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
From Actor to Empire Builder
Often hailed as the “King of Bollywood,” Khan’s journey spans over three decades, but his billionaire status is not just a result of his film career. According to Hurun India’s founder Anas Rahman Junaid, the key drivers of Khan’s wealth are his stakes in Red Chillies Entertainment, his successful production company, and Knight Rider Sports, which owns the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team.
Beyond films and cricket, Khan earns from brand endorsements, global real estate investments, and strategic business ventures.
Wealth Creation Beyond Traditional Industries
Khan’s inclusion in the billionaire list highlights a significant shift in India’s economic landscape. As the economy matures, sports, entertainment, and intellectual property (IP)-led businesses are emerging as powerful engines of wealth creation — a trend similar to what occurred in the United States, where athletes, entertainers, and media moguls like Oprah Winfrey and LeBron James now share space with tech and banking giants.
Other Bollywood Stars on the Rich List
Khan’s success also marks a milestone for Bollywood, with several industry figures making it to Hurun’s 2025 list. Juhi Chawla and family hold second place with a net worth of $880 million, followed by Hrithik Roshan ($260 million), Karan Johar ($200 million), and Amitabh Bachchan and family ($183 million).
In 2024, Johar made headlines after selling a 50% stake in Dharma Productions to billionaire Adar Poonawalla for $119 million.
A New Era of Celebrity Billionaires
While only a few global celebrities cross the billion-dollar mark, Shah Rukh Khan’s entry proves how entertainment empires, strategic investments, and global influence can create immense wealth. As India now boasts over 350 billionaires, Khan’s success symbolizes the rise of a new class of billionaires powered by creativity, culture, and global appeal.
