Rashmika Mandanna, Deepika Padukone among India’s top celebrity investors in Candere Hurun list

Indian film stars are no longer just the face of brands, they are increasingly becoming the force behind them. The 2025 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List has spotlighted a new wave of Bollywood women, including Rashmika Mandanna and Deepika Padukone, who are turning their massive digital influence into strategic startup investments, signalling a significant shift in India’s consumer and entrepreneurial landscape.

Unveiled on Wednesday, the list — curated by Candere and Hurun India — honours 97 women across nine categories including wealth creation, philanthropy, sports, and arts. One of the standout segments is the “Most Followed Celebrity Investors” list, which ranks women stars based on their Instagram following and investment activity.

Rashmika Mandanna, with 46.1 million followers, is the youngest celebrity investor in the top 10. She has invested in clean beauty and personal care brand Plum, a move that aligns her image with ethical and eco-conscious consumerism. Deepika Padukone, ranked fifth with 80.2 million followers, has co-founded skincare brand 82°E and production house KA Productions, focusing her entrepreneurial energy on wellness and content creation.

“The 2025 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List recognises ten of the most influential women who have redefined stardom through a blend of creativity, entrepreneurship, and massive digital presence,” the Hurun Research Institute said in the report. “These women have entertained millions and turned their fame into powerful ventures, launching beauty lines, fashion brands, and production houses.”

Other prominent names on the list include Priyanka Chopra, who commands 92.4 million Instagram followers and has co-founded Purple Pebble Pictures and Anomaly Haircare, expanding her presence across entertainment and sustainable beauty. Alia Bhatt, with 86.3 million followers, is the founder of Ed-a-Mamma, a sustainable clothing brand for children.

Live Events

Katrina Kaif, who has 80.3 million followers, co-founded the widely popular makeup label Kay Beauty. Anushka Sharma, followed by 69.1 million users, has launched both the fashion label Nush and the production house Clean Slate Filmz. Disha Patani, with 61.3 million followers, has invested in South Indian snack brand V.S. Mani & Co. Kriti Sanon, who has a follower base of 58.5 million, is the co-founder of Hyphen, a fashion-meets-sustainability brand. Sara Ali Khan, with 45.5 million followers, has invested in The Souled Store, a youth lifestyle brand.“This is the beginning of a movement,” said Sanjay Raghuraman, Managing Director at Candere. “Together with Hurun India, we envision this platform evolving into a dynamic community of changemakers — a collective of India’s most inspiring women leaders.”Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher of Hurun India, noted, “Indian women are no longer waiting to lead — they are driving India’s economic, social, and cultural renaissance.”

As celebrity capital matures in India, these women are not merely endorsing brands but are actively shaping their trajectory, taking board seats, launching founder-led ventures, and building equity-driven partnerships. With Rashmika Mandanna, Deepika Padukone, and others at the helm, the convergence of influence, innovation, and investment is redefining what leadership looks like in the age of digital entrepreneurship.

Also read | Rs 43,000 crore selloff by promoters! Insider exits flash warning sign for Nifty bulls
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}