Bollywood's leading ladies are increasingly demonstrating that their talents extend beyond the silver screen, seamlessly transitioning into the world of business and entrepreneurship. Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, and Bhumi Pednekar are prime examples of actresses who have successfully launched their own ventures, showcasing their business acumen and creating brands that resonate with consumers.
Katrina Kaif, a global icon in the Indian film industry, stepped into the beauty world in 2019 with Kay Beauty. Recognizing a gap in the market for high-quality makeup suited for Indian skin tones, Katrina collaborated with beauty experts, formulators, and chemists to create a brand that prioritizes inclusivity, quality, and accessibility. Kay Beauty aims to empower individuals by celebrating individuality over perfection. The brand offers a wide array of products, from hydrating foundations to vibrant lip colors, all formulated with "kare" ingredients that nourish the skin. Kay Beauty products are also cruelty-free and vegan, aligning with the values of ethically conscious consumers. Katrina's hands-on involvement in creating Kay Beauty has solidified its position as a key player in the Indian beauty market. The brand has expanded its reach to over 300 retail stores in more than 1600 cities.
Deepika Padukone, known for her advocacy for mental health and wellness, launched her self-care brand, 82°E, in November 2022. The brand's name is inspired by the meridian that passes through India, representing the country's standard time. 82°E aims to simplify self-care routines by blending Indian traditions with modern science. The brand offers a range of clinically tested, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare products, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, eye creams, and SPF. 82°E's philosophy emphasizes taking small, consistent steps to achieve lasting results, reflecting Deepika's commitment to conscious living. In addition to 82°E, Deepika also runs the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which supports mental health awareness. She has also invested in several startups through Ka Enterprises, including Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters and Epigamia.
Bhumi Pednekar, an advocate for sustainability and conscious living, recently launched Backbay, a premium beverage brand, with her sister Samiksha. Backbay offers Himalayan natural mineral water packaged in eco-friendly Gable Top Paper cartons with bio caps. The brand emphasizes sustainability, purity, and conscious consumption, with water sourced directly from the Himalayan foothills. The manufacturing unit is located in Himachal Pradesh and has a daily capacity of 45,000 boxes, with a predominantly women-led workforce. Backbay's first product line includes 500 ml and 750 ml variants, priced at ₹150 and ₹200 respectively. Bhumi and Samiksha aim to make Backbay a household name, with plans to expand into flavored sparkling water options and achieve ₹100 crore in revenue within four years. Beyond Backbay, Bhumi has also invested in Chrome Asia Hospitality's first boutique hotel in Goa, demonstrating her passion for creating meaningful experiences.
These actresses exemplify a growing trend of Bollywood stars venturing into entrepreneurship, leveraging their fame and influence to create successful brands that reflect their personal values. They are not just balancing film shoots with boardroom meetings but building legacies that extend far beyond cinema. Their entrepreneurial journeys showcase that ambition knows no boundaries and that passion combined with purpose can transform stardom into lasting impact. Other actresses who have successfully ventured into entrepreneurship include Alia Bhatt with Ed-a-Mamma, Priyanka Chopra with Anomaly, Anushka Sharma with Clean Slate Filmz, and Sonam Kapoor with Rheson.
