A middle-class boy who held a wooden bat at the age of three, fell in love with cricket, and that love turned into a passion beating in the hearts of millions of countrymen. That Delhi boy, famously called ‘Chhora NCR-wala’ in hip-hop style, has topped the recently released Forbes list of celebrities and athletes for stardom, influence, power, and overall impact. In short, his brand value is now the highest among all sports stars and Bollywood celebrities in the country.

In 2025, the top spot belonged to King Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), whom Virat Kohli has surpassed in 2026. Virat Kohli’s brand valuation this year in 2026 stands at ₹3,542 crore ($38.4 million), while ‘King Khan’ holds the second spot with ₹3,017 crore. Kohli’s close friend ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni ranks fourth with a valuation of ₹2,141 crore, while Kohli’s idol, the ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar, holds the 8th position with ₹1,676 crore.

The list of the top 10 highest-valued celebrities is as follows:

Virat Kohli – Brand Value: ₹3,542 CR

Virat Kohli is a globally renowned sports personality, and top domestic and international brands eagerly seek to associate with him. Reports indicate that the bulk of his earnings comes from brand deals, generating approximately ₹200 crore/year. He represents major brands like MRF, Myntra, American Tourister, Himalaya, Audi India, Noise, and Blue Star. Beyond endorsements, he earns through his BCCI central contract and the IPL. Virat is a Grade A+ player for the BCCI, earning a yearly salary of ₹7 crore.
Match Fees:
Test Match: ₹15 lakh per match
ODI Match: ₹6 lakh per match
T20I Match: ₹3 lakh per match
He was retained by RCB for IPL 2026 at ₹21 crore per season.
Virat Kohli’s annual income is estimated to be around ₹250 crore.

Shah Rukh Khan – Brand Value: ₹3,017 Crore

“Shah Rukh Khan-the name is enough!” That’s because he isn’t just a name; he is a brand in himself. Everyone dreams of owning a home like ‘Mannat’ or posing for a selfie near Lands End right in front of it. Just like his famous house, King Khan has a huge heart and is renowned for his hospitality.
His earnings are as big as his heart. He charges around ₹100–150 crore per film plus a profit share, and ₹10 to 12 crore per brand endorsement. He promotes big brands like Bigbasket, Pepsi, Kent, Omega, Reliance Jio, ICICI Bank, and Dubai Tourism. Red Chillies Entertainment and real estate investments also generate substantial income for him.
King Khan’s annual income is estimated to be around ₹180–200 crore.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas – Brand Value: ₹2,507 Crore

Famously known as the ‘Desi Girl’, she is making waves not just in Bollywood but across Hollywood as well. She is right at the top when it comes to brand deals, promoting luxury brands like Bvlgari, Rolex, and Bentley.
Her annual income is estimated at approximately ₹170–175 crore.

MS Dhoni – Brand Value: ₹2,141 Crore

Known as ‘Captain Cool’, this legend came from Ranchi, Jharkhand, and built a massive legacy loved by cricket fans worldwide. Passionate about his bike collection, Dhoni is often spotted riding casually on the streets of Ranchi. Although retired from international cricket, he still plays in T20 leagues and remains one of the most successful captains ever, holding 5 IPL trophies—tied with Rohit Sharma.
Captain Cool endorses popular brands like Dream11, Gulf Oil, Mastercard, Fire-Boltt, GoDaddy, JioMart, and Zed Black. Recently, he was also appointed brand ambassador for Malabar Gold & Diamonds. He charges ₹5–6 crore per brand deal.
Dhoni’s annual income is estimated to be around ₹100 crore.

Ranveer Singh – Brand Value: ₹2,077 Crore

Following back-to-back successes, Ranveer Singh’s stardom is at an all-time high, making every brand want to collaborate with him. He is associated with over 40 brands, charging ₹3–5 crore per deal. He promotes top-tier brands like Adidas, Tiffany & Co., Ducati, MakeMyTrip, Manyavar, boAt, and Zomato.
His annual income is estimated to be around ₹60–80 crore.

Akshay Kumar – Brand Value: ₹2,064 Crore

Known as ‘Khiladi Kumar’ in Bollywood, Akshay Kumar has always been a heavyweight when it comes to earnings. Hit or flop, his earning power never dips. However, he adjusts his film fees based on the situation.
Khiladi Kumar’s annual income is estimated at ₹80–100 crore.

Amitabh Bachchan – Brand Value: ₹1,933 Crore

The megastar of the century, ‘Big B’ and the original ‘Angry Young Man’, continues to earn more than many young actors even at his age. His primary income sources are brand endorsements and Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Reports of him charging up to ₹5 crore per episode for KBC frequently make headlines.Big B’s annual income is stated to be around ₹70–80 crore.

Sachin Tendulkar – Brand Value: ₹1,676 Crore

Bharat Ratna recipient and ‘God of Cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar is known for his humility. On or off the field, his conduct serves as a masterclass on staying grounded despite reaching pinnacle success. Even after being away from professional cricket for over 13 years, the Master Blaster’s aura remains completely intact, with top brands vying to sign him.
Sachin handles major deals with brands like BMW India, Apollo Tyres, Britannia, Unacademy, Adidas, and Visa.
The God of Cricket’s annual income is around ₹50–70 crore.

Alia Bhatt – Brand Value: ₹1,606 Crore

Being one of only two women in the top 10 is a massive achievement in itself. Alia initially entered the limelight with her cute persona, but quickly dominated Bollywood by reinventing herself for every role—be it Kaira in Dear Zindagi or Sehmat Khan in Raazi.
Alia dominates not just with her performances but also with her earnings. In brand endorsements, she promotes global and domestic giants like Gucci, Coca-Cola, Titan, L’Oréal, and MakeMyTrip.
Her annual income is estimated to be around ₹40–60 crore.

Allu Arjun – Brand Value: ₹1,522 Crore

Popularly known among fans as the ‘Stylish Star’, Allu Arjun is one of the biggest names in South cinema. His Pan-India popularity exploded when his iconic Pushpa dialogue— “Jhukega nahi saala…” —went viral and became a household phrase. This led to a massive surge in his brand endorsements.
His annual income is estimated to be around ₹40–50 crore.