Celebrity Investments That Ventured Beyond Bollywood in 2024

In 2024, the Indian startup ecosystem witnessed an influx of high-profile celebrity investments, ranging from film stars to athletes. Many celebrities have diversified their portfolios beyond endorsements into active business roles. Celebrities are no longer just figures who promote brands; they are now key players in the entrepreneurial world, tapping into a world of investments beyond Bollywood as well as India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of the celebrities whose investments made headlines this year.

Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn, an established figure in Bollywood, leased his commercial office space in Mumbai for Rs. 7 lakh per month, further solidifying his presence in Mumbai’s real estate market. This move underscores Devgn’s expanding business portfolio beyond the silver screen and into the commercial property sector.

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan

The Bachchan family, long associated with wealth and influence, expanded their real estate portfolio with an investment in 10 apartments at Oberoi Realty’s Eternia project in Mumbai, valued at Rs 24.95 crore. This acquisition highlights their continued interest in high-value property deals in one of India’s most lucrative real estate markets.

Deepika Padukone

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, a trailblazer in the celebrity investment world, raised Rs. 50 crore (around $6 million) in 2024 for her personal care brand, 82°E. Co-founded in 2021 with Jigar Shah, 82°E is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare brand. This year, the company expanded its product line to include a men's range. In addition to 82°E, Padukone has investments in several startups, including Epigamia, Furlenco, Atomberg, and Mokobara. Her ventures reflect her growing influence in the wellness and consumer products sectors.

Hardik Pandya

Cricketer Hardik Pandya made waves in the business world with a major investment in the fashion industry. In 2024, he launched a personalised sportswear brand in collaboration with FanCode Shop, combining his passion for fitness with his fashion sense. Pandya’s investment reflects his growing interest in fashion and fitness, leveraging his sports celebrity to create a unique offering in the competitive market.

Harsha Bhogle

Veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle made his mark as an investor in 2024 by backing Hitwicket, a cricket-based online gaming platform. Bhogle’s deep connection to the sport and his keen eye for emerging trends in entertainment led him to this investment, positioning him within the booming gaming and tech space.

Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor, an iconic Bollywood actress, co-founded Quench Botanics, a skincare brand linked to SUGAR Cosmetics. This venture into the beauty and wellness industry is part of Kapoor’s broader interest in the health and beauty space. By aligning with SUGAR Cosmetics, she is further positioning herself as a key figure in India’s growing skincare market.

KL Rahul

Cricketer KL Rahul expanded his entrepreneurial horizons in 2024 with investments in multiple sectors. He invested in Boldfit, a fitness brand, and Flam, a mixed-reality startup. Additionally, Rahul backed XYXX, a men’s premium innerwear brand, demonstrating his broad business acumen across fashion, fitness, and technology.

Kartik Aaryan

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan made a significant move in the real estate market by leasing his Juhu apartment in Mumbai for Rs 4.5 lakh per month, valued at Rs. 17.5 crore. This strategic real estate investment complements Aaryan’s growing portfolio of business interests, positioning him as a savvy investor in high-value assets.

Karan Johar

Famed filmmaker Karan Johar took a significant step into the fashion world by joining the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) in 2024. As an investor and promoter, Johar is furthering his presence in the e-commerce and fashion space, helping to shape the future of India’s digital fashion ecosystem.

Kangana Ranaut

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut made a significant investment in a film production company in 2024. This investment is aligned with her growing influence in the Indian film industry. Known for her bold choices, Ranaut’s latest venture into film production is seen as an extension of her dynamic presence in both acting and business.

Mahesh Babu

Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu made a strategic investment in Fitday, a nutraceutical startup that focuses on health and wellness products. The investment is aimed at enhancing the brand’s retail presence and positioning Babu as a key player in India’s growing wellness sector. His involvement with Fitday reflects his interest in promoting healthy living among consumers.

MS Dhoni

Cricketer MS Dhoni expanded his investment portfolio in 2024 with several high-profile ventures. He invested in Garuda Aerospace, an innovative drone technology company, and EMotorad, an electric vehicle (EV) brand. Dhoni also backed businesses such as Cars24, Shaka Harry, and Rigi, showcasing his diverse interests in technology, mobility, and e-commerce.

Nayanthara

South Indian actress Nayanthara made a notable investment in the event-tech platform Ticket9, which focuses on transforming the way events are experienced. This investment, which she shares with her husband Vignesh Shivan, is part of Nayanthara’s broader interest in leveraging technology to enhance user experiences in the entertainment and events sector.

Pullela Gopichand

Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand made an investment in Game Theory, a tech platform that aims to improve athletic performance using advanced analytics. Gopichand’s investment underscores his commitment to the growth of sports and fitness technology in India, aligning with his mission to promote sports excellence across the nation.

PV Sindhu

Olympic medalist PV Sindhu continued her entrepreneurial journey in 2024 with an investment in Greendays, a health-focused FMCG brand. The investment reflects Sindhu’s growing focus on promoting healthy living and wellness products, further solidifying her status as an influencer in the health and fitness space.

Ranveer Singh

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh invested in boAt, a leading audio brand in India known for its high-quality headphones and earphones. Singh’s partnership with boAt is part of his strategy to align with disruptive consumer brands and enhance his portfolio in the consumer electronics sector. Also, recently, he launched India’s first wafer protein bar, SuperYou with Nikunj Biyani. The actor already has the men's sexual health brand BoldCare in his investments kitty.

Rishabh Pant

Cricketer Rishabh Pant also made his mark in the tech space with a significant investment in Techjockey, a software aggregator that connects software vendors with small and medium businesses. Pant’s investment in this platform, valued at Rs. 7.40 crore, reflects his interest in technology and digital platforms that empower businesses in India.

Sara Ali Khan and Amrita Singh

Actress Sara Ali Khan and her mother Amrita Singh made a significant real estate investment in 2024 by purchasing two commercial office spaces in Andheri, Mumbai, for Rs. 22.26 crore. This move into commercial real estate further expands the mother-daughter duo’s diversified investment portfolio.

Shilpa Shetty

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty took the health and wellness route with her investment in Alpino, a health foods brand. She led a funding round worth $1.2 million to support the growth of Alpino, which specializes in peanut-based products. This move aligns with Shetty’s commitment to promoting healthy living and wellness.

Shraddha Kapoor

Actress Shraddha Kapoor co-founded Palmonas, a luxury jewelry brand, in 2024. The brand aims to redefine traditional jewelry by focusing on modern, stylish designs with a high-end appeal. Kapoor’s entry into the luxury market adds another layer to her expanding entrepreneurial journey.

Sonu Sood

Actor Sonu Sood, known for his philanthropic work, invested in Explurger, a social media platform that focuses on real-life experiences. The platform encourages users to share their travel and adventure experiences in a more meaningful and engaging way. This investment further expands Sood’s reach in the tech and digital space.

Suniel Shetty

Veteran actor Suniel Shetty, a known entrepreneur, continued his investments in multiple sectors in 2024. His diverse business portfolio includes interests in fitness, wellness, real estate, and more, positioning him as one of the most active celebrity investors in India.

Vindu Dara Singh

Actor Vindu Dara Singh made his mark in the health-tech sector with an investment in Abhay HealthTech, a company focused on home diagnostics and wellness products. Singh’s foray into health technology reflects his interest in the growing sector of health and well-being services in India.

Virender Sehwag

Former cricketer Virender Sehwag continued his investment journey in 2024 with a focus on technology and innovation. Sehwag’s investments in tech startups and initiatives are aimed at bridging the gap between traditional sports and modern tech solutions in India.

Year in Review  

In 2024, the involvement of Indian celebrities in startups and investments has reshaped the landscape. From sports to entertainment, they have made significant contributions, and their expanding portfolios reflect a broader shift toward business involvement in India’s rapidly evolving ecosystem.