Virat Kohli Tops India’s Most Valuable Celebrity List; Shah Rukh Khan Second, Priyanka Chopra Third

Mumbai: Cricket icon Virat Kohli has been ranked India’s most valuable celebrity with a brand value of ₹3,542 crore, according to the inaugural “India’s Most Valuable Celebrities 2026” report jointly released by Fortune India and global brand consultancy Interbrand. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan follows in second place at ₹3,017 crore, while global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas claims third position with a brand value of ₹2,507 crore.
The first-of-its-kind study moves beyond box office earnings and endorsement deals, evaluating celebrities on five core brand metrics: Engagement, Distinctiveness, Relevance, Affinity, and Trust — offering what experts describe as the most comprehensive assessment of celebrity brand equity in India to date.
Priyanka Chopra: The Only Woman on the Cover
Priyanka Chopra Jonas stands out as the sole woman on the list and the only female personality to feature on an individual cover of Fortune India’s special June 2026 edition. Her ranking reflects a multi-dimensional career spanning acting, producing, entrepreneurship, and investment — with a footprint spanning both Bollywood and Hollywood. Her long-standing association with Italian luxury house Bvlgari and a recent partnership with Bentley have further cemented her status as a globally sought-after brand ambassador. Analysts note that her ability to connect with audiences across cultures and continents makes her uniquely valuable to international brands.
Other Key Rankings
Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni ranks fourth with a brand value of ₹2,141 crore, scoring exceptionally high on trust and affinity — metrics that have kept him among India’s most bankable personalities even years after retiring from international cricket. Ranveer Singh comes in fifth at ₹2,077 crore, powered by his dynamic persona and cross-generational appeal, while Akshay Kumar places sixth at ₹2,064 crore, recognized for his consistency and commercial reliability despite box office fluctuations.
Forbes Honors America’s Top Immigrant Achievers
In a separate recognition, Forbes magazine has released its list of 250 of America’s most successful immigrants, celebrating individuals who have transformed US business, technology, science, and culture. The list includes Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (South Africa), Google co-founder Sergey Brin (Russia), Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Austria), and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, alongside multiple Nobel laureates and cultural icons. Forbes noted that these individuals have made outsized contributions to American innovation and economic growth since immigrating to the United States.