Salman Khan tops Forbes India Highest Earning Celebrity 100 list

Superstar Salman Khan has once again maintained the top spot in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list for the second consecutive year. The Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan and India's cricket captain Virat Kohli took the second and third spot respectively with Bollywood's global icon Priyanka Chopra named as only female celebrity in top 10 list.

The 2017 Forbes India Celebrity 100 List rankings are based on estimates of entertainment-related earnings of celebrities. The period under consideration is October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.

The methodology for calculating the ranking may have changed this year (to exclude the "fame" quotient), but the list's top three names have remained constant.

PHOTO: BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA

The 51-year-old Salman, for the second successive year, grabbed the top spot, despite the subdued box office performance of his film "Tubelight. The actor earned INR2.38 billion, backed by endorsements of several consumer-facing brands. In fact, his earnings constitute 8.67% of the total earnings- INR 26.83 billion -of the top 100 celebrities for the year.

Shah Rukh Khan, with INR1.70 billion, also retained his position at number two as did India's cricket captain Virat Kohli, with INR1 billion, at third spot.

PHOTO:VOGUE

But although the top three held on to their ranks, their cumulative earnings declined by almost 20%, down to INR5.04 billion compared to last year's total of INR6.02 billion.

Joy Chakraborthy, CEO - Forbes India and President - Revenue, TV18, said, "We are delighted to present yet another collector's edition of Forbes India which will hit the stands soon. Over the years this list has established itself as the definitive benchmark of who's making what in the entire entertainment world."

PHOTO: AFP

"This year's Celebrity 100 list is based on a revised methodology focusing on the celebrities' earnings, thus reflecting in better representation and hence a well-rounded Celebrity list of 100."

The revised methodology this year, focusing only on a celebrity's earnings (compared to the previous combination of] 'fame' and 'earnings'), has increased representation from the prolific South Indian film industry.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: Priyanka Chopra poses for a portrait during the Tribeca Film Festival at Tribeca Grill Loft on April 20, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jean Claude Dhien/Getty Images Getty Images Portrait)

There is one woman in the top 10, Priyanka Chopra (ranked number 7 with INR680 million), as she continued to make her mark internationally.

The overall earnings of the Celebrity 100 declined this year, from INR27.45 billion in 2016 to INR26.83 billion this year.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.