Celebrity Startups: The Most Successful Business Ventures by Bollywood Stars

In an era where fame meets business, Bollywood celebrities are no longer just stars of the silver screen; they are now shining just as brightly in boardrooms and business expos. Gone are the days when celeb endorsements were the peak of brand involvement. Today’s A-listers are becoming co-founders, investors, and visionaries behind some of India’s most talked-about startups.

From clean skincare & haircare to sustainable fashion, Bollywood's finest are diversifying their portfolios and putting their star power to work, offering real products and real impact. What makes this trend fascinating is how personal many of these ventures are. Whether it's a passion for wellness, a commitment to sustainability, or a desire to solve everyday problems, these celebs are building brands with purpose.

So, who’s just playing a business role on-screen, and who’s really building empires behind the scenes? Let’s take a closer look at the top Bollywood celebrities who are not just actors but startup founders, reshaping India’s entrepreneurial landscape.

How Top Bollywood Celebrities Built Their Startup Success Stories?

Hrithik Roshan
Alia Bhatt 
Deepika Padukone
Katrina Kaif
Priyanka Chopra
Kriti Sanon
Salman Khan
Ranbir Kapoor
Saif Ali Khan
Sonakshi Sinha
Shraddha Kapoor
Lara Dutta

Hrithik Roshan

Launched in 2013, HRX began as a fitness and activewear brand focused on empowering individuals to live healthier, more active lives. With a core ethos rooted in Hrithik’s own fitness journey, the brand was conceptualized to inspire people to push their limits and embrace a lifestyle that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being.

HRX hit a major milestone with a reported revenue of INR 1000 crore, signaling its rise as a strong player in India’s activewear market. The success of HRX can be attributed to its focus on high-quality fitness apparel and accessories, designed not just for athletes but for everyone committed to self-improvement. With a range of products that includes sportswear, footwear, and fitness gear, HRX has carved a niche in the fast-growing Indian fitness and lifestyle market.

Alia Bhatt 

Alia Bhatt launched Ed-a-Mamma in 2020, a sustainable children's clothing brand catering to kids aged 2 to 14. The brand’s success was so explosive that it caught the eye of Reliance Retail, which swooped in to acquire a 51% stake in a deal in September 2023. Now, backed by Reliance’s massive retail network, Ed-a-Mamma is set to expand its reach and product line like never before.

Alia Bhatt envisions the brand as a platform to instill environmental values in children, stating, "Ed-a-Mamma combines two things I care deeply about: Our planet and our children. So I decided to create a world that nurtures in children a love of nature".

Ed-a-Mamma's journey from a homegrown startup to a significant player in sustainable fashion exemplifies the potential of celebrity-led ventures that prioritize purpose alongside profit.

Deepika Padukone

Move over, blockbusters Deepika Padukone is now making waves in the startup world! Deepika Padukone has gone a step further, investing in forward-thinking startups like Epigamia, Purplle, Bellatrix Aerospace, a cutting-edge spacetech firm, and BluSmart, India’s all-electric ride-hailing platform.

But her biggest entrepreneurial leap came in 2021, when she co-founded 82°E with business partner Jigar Shah. Launched as a D2C personal care brand in November 2022, 82°E (pronounced eighty-two east) began with a premium skincare line and has since expanded to include a men’s range under the label 82°E.

Just a month after launch, in December 2022, 82°E raised a stellar $7.5 million in seed funding from DSG Consumer Partners, IDEO Ventures, and a clutch of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs), including Padukone’s own family office.

Katrina Kaif

Kay Beauty's launch was a game-changer. This brand offers products like lip oil gloss, creme blush, liquid highlighter, and hydrating foundation that strike the right balance between glamour and skincare. With millions of customers, especially young women looking for high-performance makeup, the brand focused on inclusive beauty, cruelty-free practices, and sustainability.

In 2020, Kay Beauty made a big splash when it was launched in partnership with Nykaa, one of India’s leading beauty and wellness platforms. This partnership has helped the brand reach even more customers, solidifying Katrina’s position as a savvy businesswoman in the beauty space. Kay Beauty emerged as the standout performer in fiscal year 2024, with revenues increasing 45.83% to INR 88.23 crore, or approximately $10.6 million.

Priyanka Chopra

Global icon, actress, and producer Priyanka Chopra isn’t just making headlines in Hollywood and Bollywood; she’s also building a name for herself in the world of beauty and wellness. In 2021, Priyanka launched Anomaly, a sustainable haircare brand that’s all about clean beauty without the high price tag.

Anomaly stands out because it offers salon-quality shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that are vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly, all packed in bottles made from 100% recycled plastic. As of 2023, Anomaly became one of the fastest-growing celebrity haircare brands globally, proving that when purpose meets passion, it can lead to real business success. This brand accounted for INR 4,843 crores in revenue as of 2023. 

Kriti Sanon

In 2023, the Bollywood actress launched Hyphen, a skincare brand she co-founded with seasoned beauty entrepreneur Rohit Khandelwal, who previously worked with top brands like MyGlamm and Unilever.

Hyphen isn’t your average celeb skincare line. The brand was created with a simple yet powerful idea: to make skincare effective, affordable, and inclusive. Kriti has been closely involved in everything from the product formulations to the packaging design. Her goal? To “hyphen” the gap between luxury and accessibility in skincare.

Backed by Kriti’s personal passion for skincare and a strong social media presence, Hyphen is already creating waves in India’s booming beauty market. The brand is available online and has been praised for its minimal, no-nonsense approach to self-care.

Salman Khan

Long before celebrity brands became a trend, Salman Khan was already setting the stage with Being Human. Launched in 2012, this fashion label is more than just stylish clothing it’s a brand with a heart. Known for its casual wear like t-shirts, jeans, and jackets, Being Human has grown into a fan-favorite, especially among Salman’s massive fan base.

But what sets it apart is its purpose. A portion of the brand’s profits go towards the Being Human Foundation, which supports education and healthcare for the underprivileged.

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor has officially stepped into the world of fashion with his brand-new venture ARKS. ARKS was launched in 2024 with the aim of becoming your go-to destination for wardrobe essentials. 

Featuring comfy tees and cargo pants, cozy hoodies, sharp jackets, and trendy sneakers, this brand offers a head-to-toe style upgrade. What sets ARKS apart is its focus on fuss-free fashion that’s both stylish and wearable. Whether you’re heading out for a casual brunch or just lounging at home, ARKS outfits are designed to keep you looking cool.

Saif Ali Khan

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Launched in 2018 in partnership with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra, House of Pataudi brings regal elegance to everyday wardrobes. The brand is inspired by Saif's royal heritage and timeless style, offering a curated collection of ethnic wear, footwear, and accessories for men and women. From intricately embroidered sherwanis and kurtas to contemporary Indo-western outfits, every piece is a blend of tradition and modern aesthetics.

Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha, known for her bold and quirky approach, ventured into the beauty industry with the launch of her press-on nails brand, SOEZI, in May 2022. Co-founded with lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Srishti Raai, SOEZI aims to make nail art accessible and hassle-free for everyone.

Expanding its physical presence, SOEZI inaugurated its first offline retail store at Seasons Mall in Pune in March 2024. The launch event attracted notable lifestyle influencers and marked a significant milestone in the brand's journey.

Shraddha Kapoor

In 2015, Shraddha Kapoor teamed up with Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd (USPL), founded by Anjana Reddy and backed by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, to launch IMARA, an ethnic wear brand for women.

IMARA reimagines traditional Indian fashion with a modern twist. From stylish kurtis and fusion wear to elegant Indo-western outfits, the brand caters to young, fashion-forward Indian women who want to keep their ethnic roots alive while embracing modern silhouettes. 

Moreover, Sraddha Kapoor has joined Palmonas, a Pune-based demi-fine jewellery startup, as a co-founder in March 2024. Her engagement with the brand became public when she responded to a fan's comment on Instagram, revealing her admiration for Palmonas' designs.

Lara Dutta

In 2019, former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Lara Dutta ventured into entrepreneurship with the launch of Arias, a skincare brand developed in collaboration with Scentials Beautycare and Wellness Pvt. Ltd. The brand's name, Arias, is inspired by her daughter’s name spelled backward, reflecting a personal touch in its identity.

Lara Dutta collaborated with dermatologist Dr. Geetanjali Shetty to develop the Arias product line, ensuring that the formulations address common skincare challenges while maintaining ethical standards.

Beyond skincare, Arias has expanded its offerings to include fragrances and body mists, aiming to provide a comprehensive personal care experience. The brand is accessible through various online platforms such as Amazon, Myntra, and Tira Beauty.

Conclusion

Bollywood celebrities aren’t just ruling the movies; they are also making waves in business. Their brands aren’t just about fame; they offer real value with eco-friendly beauty products, sustainable fashion, and smart tech solutions. These stars understand what people want today, and they’re building successful ventures around it. And this is just the start, their business success is set to grow even bigger!

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FAQs

Which Bollywood actresses have made a mark in the beauty and cosmetics industry?

Katrina Kaif's Kay Beauty (makeup brand in collaboration with Nykaa) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas's Anomaly (haircare brand) are notable successful ventures in the beauty sector.

What are some of the most successful fashion ventures by Bollywood stars?

Successful fashion ventures include Alia Bhatt's Ed-a-Mamma (kids and maternity wear), Shraddha Kapoor's ( IMARA).