New Delhi: For the third year running, Virat Kohli sits at the very top of India’s celebrity brands. According to Kroll’s latest Celebrity Brand Valuation study, Kohli’s brand is worth a huge $231.1 million. That number comes from combining how much his endorsements are worth and how strong his social media presence is. This study looks at 25 big Indian stars and adds their brand values to measure who is most bankable right now.
Right behind Kohli is Ranveer Singh, who holds the second spot with $170.7 million. Ranveer’s total slipped a bit from last year, but he remains one of the most powerful faces for brands because of his energy and wide appeal. Shah Rukh Khan is still among the top three, he sits third with $145.7 million after a strong comeback at the box office. Together, these three names show how cricket and Bollywood both shape India’s advertising and endorsement world.
Among the women, Alia Bhatt has moved up and is now the top female celebrity on the list, with a brand value of $116.4 million. Her growth reflects recent film success and steady endorsement work. Another familiar name, Sachin Tendulkar, made a notable jump into the top five, driven by fresh endorsements and lasting popularity. The full top five is a mix of sports and film stars, which tells us Indian brands still want both kinds of fame.
The report also shows that the combined brand value of the top 25 celebrities reached about $2 billion in 2024, nearly 9% higher than the year before. This tells us that despite ups and downs for individual stars, the celebrity endorsement market in India is growing overall. Brands are investing more, and celebrities who keep consistent public presence and smart partnerships benefit the most.
What makes these brand numbers more than just big sums? For students and young readers, here’s the simple idea: brand value is like a score that mixes two things, how many people follow a celebrity and how much money companies are ready to pay them to promote products. A strong social media presence can add a lot to this score, but real-world actions (like winning a match or a hit movie) still matter a lot.
A small opinion: it feels right that a cricketer leads the list in India, because cricket connects with nearly everyone across the country. But the rise of actresses like Alia and the comeback of stars like Shah Rukh show that films and new media are also powerful. For companies, the lesson is simple, pick faces who connect emotionally and show consistent work. For young readers thinking about careers, this study shows that long-term reputation, smart public choices, and active social media can turn talent into lasting brand value.
