In the 90s, Indian actors reached a new milestone by earning over ₹1 crore for a single film. This era saw top stars become the faces of numerous endorsements, leading to even greater wealth. Many actors ventured into businesses, eventually becoming millionaires. It’s no shock that India’s richest actress is also among the world’s top 10 wealthiest actresses. What’s unexpected, however, is that she hasn’t delivered a blockbuster in the last ten years.
Juhi Chawla holds the title of India’s wealthiest actress. According to the Hurun Rich List 2024, her fortune is second only to her friend and business partner, Shah Rukh Khan, among Indian actors. With a net worth of ₹4600 crore ($580 million), Juhi surpasses both her peers and younger stars.
In fact, the combined net worth of the five next richest Indian actresses is still less than Juhi’s. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan follows Juhi in second place, with a net worth of around ₹850 crore ($100 million). Priyanka Chopra, thanks to her brand endorsements, production company, and Hollywood projects, comes in third with a wealth of ₹650 crore. Rounding off the top five are Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone, who have also built successful business ventures.
Although cinema has contributed to Juhi Chawla’s wealth, it isn’t the primary source. Despite being a major star in the 90s, her last successful film was Luck By Chance in 2009. The majority of her wealth stems from her business investments, particularly her role in the Red Chillies Group. As one of its founders, Juhi is also co-owner of several cricket teams, including the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders. Additionally, she has significant real estate holdings and business investments, alongside her husband, Jay Mehta, a wealthy businessman.
