Virat Kohli beats Shah Rukh Khan to top Most Valuable Indian Celebrities list

Global valuation and corporate finance advisors, Duff & Phelps Corporation has released its list of Rise of the Millennials: India’s Most Valuable Celebrity Brands, topped by India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli. 

The Indian cricket superstar, who married actress Anushka Sharma on 11 December, tops the list with a brand value of $144 million (Rs958 crore approx.). Kohli had a phenomenal 2017 on the field scoring over 1000 runs in both test and ODI (One Day International) matches and is currently the most marketable cricketer. 

“For the first time since we began publishing our rankings, Shah Rukh Khan has slipped from the top ranking and been replaced by Virat Kohli. Kohli is now the first choice of brands to engage and attract consumers, fueled by his extraordinary on-field performances and off-field charisma,” said Varun Gupta, Duff & Phelps Managing Director and Region Leader - India, Japan and Southeast Asia.

“In addition to Kohli, other young celebrities such as Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and badminton champion PV Sindhu have either risen in the rankings or entered our top 15 list, backed by note-worthy performances in their respective fields and strong endorsement signings over the last year,” Gupta added.

On the second place is Shah Rukh Khan with a brand value of $106 million (Rs705 crore approx). Khan had topped the list last year. His value has taken a dip in 2017, with two of his films, Raees (2017) and Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017), not doing great business. The latter was, in fact, a box office disaster. 

Deepika Padukone held on to her third spot with a brand value of $93 million (Rs618 crore approx).

Akshay Kumar, who was at number 13 last year, jumped to the fourth spot with a brand value of $47 million (Rs312 crore approx). He had a hat-trick of Rs100 crore films last year, and the streak stretched to 5 successive Rs100 crore film with Jolly LLB 2 (2017) and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) doing well at the box office. 

Ranveer Singh moved two places above from last year, taking the fifth place with a brand value of $42 million (Rs279 crore approx). 

Salman Khan dropped two places taking the sixth spot with a brand value of  $39 million (Rs259 crore approx). Salman's value dipped owing to the failure of Tubelight (2017). He now has hopes pinned on Tiger Zinda Hai that hits the screens on 22 December. 

Hrithik Roshan moved one place above from last year. His brand value was pegged at $38 million (Rs252 crore approx). The actor had one release in Kaabil this year. The film had average collections. 

Amitabh Bachchan and Alia Bhatt took the 8th and 9th spot, respectively. Bachchan's brand value amounts to $36 million (Rs239 crore approx), while Bhatt's stands at $34 million (Rs226 crore approx). 

Varun Dhawan and badminton player PV Sindhu were the new entrants to the list. Dhawan had a successful year with two hits in Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Judwaa 2.  The young actor took the tenth spot with a brand value of $32 million (Rs212 crore approx).

Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor, who were placed at 5th and 6th spot last year, have dropped to 12th and 11th spots this year. Kapoor's Jagga Jasoos failed miserably at the box offfice and left his brand value at $27 million (Rs 179 crore approx). Global icon Chopra's valuation surprisingly dropped to $22 million (Rs146 crore approx).

World no. 3 Sindhu badminton player has been placed at the 15th spot with her brand value pegged at $15 million (Rs99 crore approx).