Making big bucks off screen
Few actors have managed to use their star value to create successful businesses and bring in the extra moolah.
They are the successful face of many a Bollywood films. But apart from having a strong fan following, they also have a keen eye for business. Many A-list actors like the Khans and Ajay Devgn have invested in other business ventures.
Film production
This is a popular option, especially with the Khans. Salman, Aamir, and Shah Rukh all have their names attached to movie production companies. Ajay Devgn, too, helms a production and distribution company, Ajay Devgn Films, also known as ADF, functioning since 2000, making him one of the first big stars of this generation to put his hands into the movie making business. Ajay also has other interests besides making movies. The actor has invested in the Charanka Solar Power Project in Gujarat along with the Roha Group, when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of the state.
“I have always believed in green energy and when the time came, I came on board for this. When we met Mr Modi, he was very forthcoming. When I asked him who we have to meet next, ‘You rest, people will call you now’ he said,” Ajay revealed in 2012, when the project began.
Not all of these endeavours have been completely successful ones. Before Amitabh Bachchan’s AB Corp went on to produce hit films like Paa, the actor was in the midst of a crisis with his previous venture, ABCL. Big B’s dream venture 00000 fell into trouble, which entailed a legal battle with his creditors because of “gross mismanagement”. But the star of the millennium managed to dust off these issues and stand up on his feet to regain his stardom again. News is Bachchan has acquired a stake in Justdial.
OPM — Other People’s Money
What’s interesting is that some of these businesses are being handled by close friends of the stars. While the celebs and their business partners do not reveal the exact nature of the partnership, most movie stars operate with other people’s money.
“In Bollywood we call it OPM — other people’s money. Most movie stars do not put in their funds, but lend their face in exchange for equity. But then there are some who put in their own money because they do not just want a higher stake in the business, but also want control,” says a Bollywood business manager.
Shilpa Shetty
Her name is associated with yoga, and she’s involved in quite a few businesses. Shilpa, in fact, has transitioned herself into a businesswoman over the years. There’s a perfume line, a fitness DVD and — wait for it — a mobile phone line called Viaan Mobiles, which is named after her son — Viaan Raj Kundra. She also started out as the co-owner of the IPL team Rajasthan Royals, which was later embroiled in a series of controversies.
Hrithik Roshan
It isn’t just film production that our actors have their eyes on. Hrithik Roshan owns the fashion/fitness brand HRX. Besides the moolah that his brand would generate, Hrithik — ever the athlete — always maintained he wanted HRX to be a platform that could inspire people to “bring out their best.”
Preity Zinta
There are celebrities who associate with projects close to their heart. Recently, Preity Zinta launched ‘Kavach Safety’ for women. It’s an app which assures safety at the press of a button, at a nominal cost. “I started Kavach to ensure that no woman would fear for her personal safety in her daily life. It has taken me five long years to get here. We need to educate the country that safety is a right and not a privilege,” she said.
Shah Rukh Khan
SRK owns three cricket teams now — The Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, the Trinidad and Tobago Team from the Caribbean Premier League and the Cape Town team in the South African Premier League.
He also produces films under his banner, Red Chilies Entertainment.
Salman Khan
Salman Khan has invested in many properties and also has a five per cent stake in Yatra.com. He started a film production company called Salman Khan Films.
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai | Along with hubby Abhishek invested in a luxurious property in UAE at the Jumeriah Golf Estates.