'SRK joins billionaires' club'

Bollywood's King Khan expands reign with $1.4b empire beyond silver screen

Shah Rukh Khan, known universally as Bollywood's 'King Khan', has reached another career milestone—this time offscreen, as the actor has reportedly entered the billionaires' club, with Indian media estimating his wealth at over $1.4 billion.

The achievement places him ahead of several global entertainers and cements his reputation not only as one of cinema's most bankable stars but also as a shrewd businessman. His fortune is largely attributed to his multifaceted empire, which spans blockbuster films, sports, and entertainment technology.

Khan's production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, has been behind some of the most successful films of the past two decades, including 'Chennai Express', 'Raees', and the more recent 'Pathaan'. The company also runs a world-class visual effects studio, which has expanded into international projects.

Adding to his portfolio is his ownership stake in the Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the Indian Premier League's most profitable franchises. The team has consistently performed well both on the field and financially, adding significant value to Khan's growing business ventures.

Beyond business, Khan's personal assets also contribute to his stature. His residence, Mannat, a sprawling mansion in Mumbai, has long been a landmark for fans. He also owns properties in Dubai, London, Beverly Hills, and Alibaug, alongside a collection of luxury cars that further illustrate his high-flying lifestyle.

Indian media has noted that Khan now surpasses international celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Seinfeld in estimated net worth. While official confirmations are lacking, his position among the world's wealthiest entertainers underlines the global reach of Indian cinema and its leading man.

But financial success is only one facet of Khan's enduring career. This week, a separate milestone added another feather to his cap. A new report by the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), covering 25 years of Indian cinema, declared Shah Rukh Khan the most prominent Indian actor of the past quarter-century.

The findings show Khan's presence in 20 of the 130 most popular Indian films released since 2000, based on global audience ratings from more than nine million users. His dominance was particularly evident in the early 2000s, when he featured in eight of the 25 top-rated films released between 2000 and 2004.

Remarkably, his popularity remained intact even during years when he had no film releases, with his name continuing to appear on IMDb's list of most popular celebrities. Khan himself welcomed the recognition, saying he had always aimed to entertain audiences while telling stories that could cross barriers of language and culture.

"Cinema's power lies in its ability to connect people beyond boundaries," he said in a statement. "If my films have managed to bring joy to audiences across the world, then I feel I've done justice to my craft."

The data further showed that Khan's appeal is not confined to the past. In 2024, he appeared in IMDb's list of the top 10 most popular actors every single week of the year, a testament to his continued relevance in an industry where stardom can be fleeting.

With a career spanning over three decades, Khan's influence reaches far beyond the silver screen. From romantic dramas that defined a generation to high-octane thrillers that drew record audiences, his body of work reflects versatility and longevity. Offscreen, his rise as a billionaire entrepreneur mirrors his onscreen journey — a story of ambition, resilience, and unrelenting charisma.

As he steps into this new financial and cultural milestone, Shah Rukh Khan embodies the global face of Indian cinema. His billion-dollar empire and sustained popularity underscore a simple fact: the star once dubbed "King Khan" is not just reignin — he is rewriting the definition of modern stardom.