Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has officially become a billionaire for the first time, according to the 2025 Hurun India Rich List. His fortune is estimated at around $1.4 billion, placing him among the world’s richest celebrities alongside notable names such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Known as the "King of Romance" in Bollywood, Khan, 59, has dominated the Indian film industry for over three decades. However, his massive wealth is not solely from acting; it also comes from smart investments in entertainment and sports, most notably his production company Red Chillies Entertainment and his partial ownership of the Kolkata Knight Riders cricket team in the Indian Premier League.

Major Investments

Khan also earns income from his films and commercial endorsements, in addition to substantial investments in real estate both in India and abroad. This combination of artistic success and savvy investment has made art a significant path to wealth.

Changes in the Indian Economy

Anas Rahman Junaid, founder of Hurun India, noted that Khan’s entry into the billionaire club reflects changes in the Indian economy, where sectors like entertainment, sports, and intellectual property rights have become key drivers of wealth creation, similar to trends in the United States.

Although reaching billionaire status remains rare even among the world’s richest celebrities, Khan has proven that art can be an effective route to wealth when paired with smart financial planning, according to BBC.

The 2025 Hurun list also highlighted several other Bollywood stars with smaller fortunes:

• Juhi Chawla and family: $880 million
• Hrithik Roshan: $260 million
• Karan Johar, after selling half of his stake in Dharma Productions to billionaire Adar Poonawalla for $119 million: estimated at $200 million
• Amitabh Bachchan and family: approximately $183 million

It is worth noting that the number of billionaires in India has surpassed 350 this year, with Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani retaining the top two spots as the richest individuals in the country.