Indian Cricketer, Virat Kohli has topped the first ever Fortune India-Interbrand survey of India’s most valuable celebrities, pointing to the rising importance of personal branding in the country. Virat Kohli is at the top of the list, with his brand worth estimated at ₹3,542 crore, which is above other great personalities from the film and sport industry. The survey represents a unique method to analyze celebrity impact on their respective industries and even companies, and includes such criteria as earning power, trustworthiness, ability to engage customers, and brand sustainability.
The debut list of the Fortune India-Interbrand ranking features Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan as the second most valuable celebrity, with an estimated brand value of ₹3,017 crore. At No. 3 is global actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The top tier is made up of celebrities from the movie and cricket industries that represent the most commercially potent of the many entertainment spheres popular in India. The ranking features 25 celebrities from the fields of sports, film, and music.
New Benchmark for Celebrity Brand Value
The study takes a comprehensive approach by viewing celebrity identities as valuable economic assets, rather than just focusing on their popularity. It goes beyond simple financial metrics to evaluate six key pillars of brand strength: distinctiveness, coherence, engagement, trust, affinity, and responsibility. This method looks past box-office figures, endorsement deals, or social media follower counts to truly gauge the overall impact and longevity of a celebrity’s brand.
Kohli stands out in the rankings thanks to his impressive commercial presence across various platforms. He boasts one of the largest digital followings among Indian celebrities, with over 270 million followers on Instagram. His online influence is on the rise, highlighted by his achievement as the first cricketer to surpass one billion views on a single advertisement reel. Additionally, he has established long-term partnerships with renowned global brands like Puma, Audi, and MRF, solidifying his status as a top-tier brand ambassador.
The top 10 list really showcases the strong presence of cricket and cinema in our culture. Mahendra Singh Dhoni takes the fourth spot, with Ranveer Singh right behind him in fifth and Akshay Kumar in sixth. Amitabh Bachchan holds the seventh position, while cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar comes in at eighth. Alia Bhatt grabs the ninth place, and Telugu superstar Allu Arjun rounds out the top 10. On the female side, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is at the forefront, followed by Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Kriti Sanon, Smriti Mandhana, and Nayanthara, all making it into the top 25.
