Entrepreneur Stories
10 Bollywood Stars Turned Entrepreneurs
10 Bollywood Stars Turned Entrepreneurs:
Bollywood can be used for inspiration not just for its movies about entrepreneurs but also for the actors turned entrepreneurs. Many Bollywood stars have their own companies doing quite well in different fields not just because of the name associated with them, but also for their creative and quirky ideas and good management.
Here’s a list of some of the growing entrepreneurs in the Bollywood industry:
1. Shah Rukh Khan:
No list can be made without the King of Bollywood being a part of it. Not only has King Khan managed to become a World renowned celebrity but he proved his keen sense for business. Apart from being the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, he also runs the leading production house Red Chillies Pvt., Ltd.
2. Sunil Shetty:
Unlike the bank employee Sham in Hera Pheri, Sunil Shetty is known to have invested in multiple business ventures. Apart from a chain of gyms across India, he also owns a production company called ‘Popcorn Entertainment’ and is the owner of a series of boutiques spread across Mumbai called ‘Mischief.’ He also runs S2 Realty, which is a designing and development of luxury real estate projects.
3. Karishma Kapoor:
Being a mother of 2 children, Karishma Kapoor ventured into the world of entrepreneurs with her investment in the e-commerce site BabyOye and is the largest individual shareholder of the company.
4. Twinkle Khanna:
She will tickle your funny bones while decorating your dream room. Twinkle Khanna Kumar is not just the author of the column Mrs. Funnybones, but is also a successful interior designer. She runs the label ‘White Window’ along with her mother Dimple Kapadia.
5. Sonam Kapoor:
Anil Kapoor’s daughters, Rhea Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor all set to make their names outside of the Bollywood industry recently launched their co-owned clothing line Rheson in an exclusive partnership with Shopper’s Stop. She also launched her own app for an exclusively view into all things Sonam Kapoor.
6. Kunal Kapoor:
Surprising everyone, Rang de Basanti star co-owns an online crowdfunding platform called Ketto. Ketto aims to make online giving and volunteering easy, safe and seeks to bring individuals and corporates from all fields together to support their favorite causes.
7. Shilpa Shetty:
After her success in the reality show Big Brother, Shilpa Shetty launched her perfume S2, invested in Losis Spa and became its co-owner and launched multiple fitness DVD’s and published her book called ‘The Great Indian Diet.’
8. Farhan Akhtar:
Film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer, and lyricist Farhan Akhtar is also the owner of Farout Media, a music innovation company that promotes indie talent. Farhan also launched the social initiative MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination).
9. John Abraham:
After acting in movies like Dhoom and Race 2, John Abraham became a producer and launched his own production house, JA Entertainment. He also won the Creative Entrepreneur of the Year title at the NDTV Profit’s Business Leadership Awards for his production Vicky Donor.
10. Sushmita Sen:
This former Miss Universe owns a jewelry store in Dubai, launched her own production company called Tantra Entertainment and set up her own company ‘Sensazione’ back in 2006.
A decade ago, the success of a startup was measured largely by its ability to raise capital. Today, a different metric is gaining importance: the ability to generate meaningful exits for investors. Large stake sales by early backers are becoming increasingly common, not because growth opportunities have disappeared, but because India’s startup ecosystem is entering a more mature phase where capital is expected to complete its full cycle from investment to returns.
This evolution is particularly significant for consumer brands that have successfully blended technology, retail, and strong brand-building. Companies that were once viewed as high-risk startup bets are now attracting institutional investors capable of absorbing large transactions. Such developments indicate that these businesses are no longer being valued solely on future potential; they are increasingly being assessed on operational performance, market leadership, and long-term profitability. In many ways, investor exits are becoming a validation of a company’s ability to create lasting enterprise value.
The broader implication extends beyond a single company or investor. Successful exits encourage more global capital to enter India’s startup ecosystem because they demonstrate that liquidity opportunities exist at scale. As more venture-backed companies approach public listings, secondary transactions, or strategic investments, the focus of founders and investors alike may shift from chasing headline valuations to building durable businesses. The next chapter of India’s startup journey will likely be defined not just by the creation of unicorns, but by the creation of companies capable of delivering sustained returns to all stakeholders.
Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Air with M5 chip, starting at $999 for 13-inch and $1,299 for 15-inch models. The MacBook Air M5 boasts a 2nm M5 chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 50 TOPS Neural Engine for seamless AI tasks like real-time translation and 8K editing. Up to 22 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5, and Wi-Fi 7 make it the ultimate ultraportable, now 10% thinner at 0.44 inches with fanless cooling.
Key MacBook Air M5 features include Liquid Retina XDR display (500 nits, nano-texture option), 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker Spatial Audio. Colors like new Sky Blue join Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders are live today, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 enhancing Apple Intelligence and iPhone Continuity for students, pros, and remote workers.
Why buy MacBook Air M5 now? It outpaces Snapdragon X Elite rivals with ecosystem magic and future-proof performance, eyeing top 2026 laptop sales. CEO Tim Cook calls it “more capable than ever.” Visit apple.com for M5 MacBook deals and specs.
Delhi NCR-based gaming startup Zupee has acquired Mumbai-based microdrama platform Vertical TV in a deal valued under INR 40 Cr. This move strengthens Zupee Studio, its short-video arm launched in September 2025, by integrating Vertical TV’s expertise in bite-sized dramas like romance and thrillers.
Facing challenges from India’s 2025 real-money gaming ban, Zupee valued at $1 Bn after raising $120 Mn has pivoted to non-gaming content, including recent layoffs of 40% of its workforce. The acquisition builds on its November 2025 purchase of Australian AI firm Nucanon for interactive storytelling, targeting its 200 Mn+ users with engaging, mobile-first formats.
This deal underscores the rising microdrama trend in India, helping Zupee diversify amid regulatory pressures and compete in the short-video space dominated by quick, shareable content for on-the-go audiences.
