The Indian celebrity endorsement industry has turned into a multi-billion rupee industry with brands increasingly approaching film stars and cricketers to generate visibility, trust and consumer engagement. Celebrity endorsements accounted for 29% of all television ads in India during the first half of 2025, according to TAM Media Research data. Bollywood continued to dominate, accounting for 74% of celebrity appearances.
The industry of celebrity influence is also getting more valuable. According to the Fortune India-Interbrand’s Most Valuable Celebrities 2026 study, popularity alone is not the currency of brand value anymore as it factors in engagement, trust, cultural relevance, social media influence and commercial impact. Virat Kohli tops the list with a brand value of ₹3,542 crore, followed by Shah Rukh Khan at ₹3,017 crore and Priyanka Chopra Jonas at ₹2,507 crore.
According to Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Study, the combined brand value of India’s top celebrity brands surpassed $2 billion in 2024, highlighting the importance of celebrity endorsement in the country’s marketing ecosystem.
1. Virat Kohli
Cricketer Virat Kohli is still the most wanted celebrity endorser in India and tops the Fortune India-Interbrand rankings with a brand value of ₹3,542 crore. The study noted that Kohli’s “engagement velocity” on social media remains unmatched among Indian celebrities. His endorsements span sportswear, automobiles, fashion, food and technology. Key brands include Puma, MRF Tyres, Myntra, Manyavar and Noise. Kroll reported that his endorsement portfolio includes more than 30 major brands across sectors.
2. Shah Rukh Khan
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan continues to reign supreme in advertising across categories. He had the highest 27 hours of daily television ad visibility in the first half of 2025, and he represented 35 brands, as per media reports. His portfolio includes Hyundai, Everest Masala, Thums Up, D’Decor and ICICI Bank. Fortune India highlighted his 25-year association with Hyundai as one of the longest celebrity-brand partnerships in the country.
3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Actress, entrepreneur and producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has emerged as one of India’s most valuable global celebrity brands. Fortune India credited her strength to her ability to balance Hollywood visibility and Indian market relevance. Her endorsement roster includes Bulgari, Max Factor, Pantene and several luxury beauty and fashion brands. She is third in the value rankings for 2026 with brand value of more than ₹2,500 crore.
4. MS Dhoni
Former India captain MS Dhoni remains one of the most trusted celebrity endorsers in the country. According to media reports, Dhoni endorsed 43 brands, the highest among all celebrities measured in the study. His advertising portfolio includes State Bank of India (SBI), Gulf Oil, Indigo Paints, EMotorad, GoDaddy and Garuda Aerospace. Fortune India said Dhoni’s commercial appeal continues to be driven by consumer trust and his reputation for consistency and composure.
5. Ranveer Singh
Ranveer Singh remains among the advertising industry’s favourite personalities because of his appeal across age groups and product categories. Fortune India said his unique positioning allows him to endorse both luxury and mass-market products simultaneously. His key endorsements include Tiffany & Co., Bingo!, Adidas, MakeMyTrip and boAt. Ranveer ranks fifth in the 2026 celebrity value rankings.
6. Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar continues to maintain one of the broadest endorsement portfolios in India. He represented approximately 20 brands and recorded around 12 hours of daily television visibility, as per media reports. His major endorsements include PolicyBazaar, Harpic, Dollar Industries and Nirma, among others. Kumar remains a preferred choice for household, insurance and consumer-product advertisers.
7. Amitabh Bachchan
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan remains one of India’s most trusted celebrity faces. Industry reports states that he represented 28 brands and recorded nearly 8.8 hours of daily visibility on television advertising. His major partnerships include Cadbury Dairy Milk, Just Dial, Policybazaar and Navratna Oil. StartupTalky estimated his endorsement fee at ₹11-15 crore per campaign, making him one of India’s highest-paid brand ambassadors.
8. Sachin Tendulkar
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has seen renewed interest from advertisers. Kroll said he climbed significantly in celebrity brand rankings because of a rise in endorsement deals. His portfolio includes BMW India, Unacademy, Spinny, Boost and Visa. The valuation study placed him among India’s top five celebrity brands in terms of commercial value.
9. Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt is the most powerful female celebrity brand in India. According to industry reports, she had 22 live endorsements in 2026. Her portfolio includes Gucci, Lux and Philips. According to TAM Media Research data, Bhatt appeared in 48 unique television commercials between April 2025 and March 2026, the highest among celebrities tracked in that period.
10. Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone continues to be one of India’s most premium celebrity endorsers, securing deals from both global luxury labels and big consumer brands. Her endorsement portfolio includes Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Levi’s, Adidas, Dyson and L’Oréal Paris. Fortune India and industry studies continue to rank her among the country’s most influential female celebrity brands.
A booming celebrity economy
The scale of celebrity marketing in India continues to expand. Revenues from celebrity endorsement crossed ₹3,000 crore and showed a sharp increase in brand spending on celebrities, the Forbes India Celebrity 100 report released in 2026 had estimated. The report had highlighted the growing demand for celebrities who can influence consumers on television, social media and digital commerce platforms.
Meanwhile, Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Study found that celebrity brand values continue to increase despite the changing media consumption habits. The report estimated Virat Kohli’s brand value at $231.1 million, Ranveer Singh’s at $170.7 million and Shah Rukh Khan’s at $145.7 million in its latest ranking, demonstrating the commercial strength of India’s biggest stars.
First Published on July 23, 2026, 12:41:26 IST
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