Bollywood is a powerhouse of talent where you either are remembered for your work or are soon forgotten. You cannot play a long inning here unless you are extremely talented and lucky. Every day new faces join the industry and the competition here becomes even higher.
You don’t know if the superstar of today will command the same power and popularity tomorrow or vanish into oblivion. So, for a regular income throughout their lives, our stars invest the money earned from films into some other businesses and make huge profits. Here is the list of top EIGHT Bollywood actors who have successful side businesses.
Bobby Deol
Despite not having many movies in his kitty, this handsome man enjoys a stellar fan following. He is known to be a wonderful person off-screen. He also owns another place known as Suhana for exclusive Indian cuisine and Zion for exclusive Chinese fare.
He even became a celebrity DJ not a very long time ago, and also has many sound investments in place which keeps him busy.
Arjun Rampal
The talented actor has done some cool work on screen but his hard work off-screen is fabulous as well. Arjun Rampal brought the uber-cool premium discotheques in Delhi called ‘Lap – The Lounge’, a few years ago when the party culture was still catching up.
The sprawling lounge-bar-restaurant boasts of a creamy crowd. He also runs an event management firm called ‘Chasing Ganesha’.
Twinkle Khanna
Despite her genes, she gave multiple flops in her career which didn’t seem the right choice for her since the beginning. Twinkle Khanna started a candle company and followed it up with an interior designing firm called ‘The White Window’ in Mumbai.
Apart from this Twinkle is also a noted newspaper columnist and author. She is also a film producer and has produced almost six films under Grazing Goat Pictures. She has recently set up her separate production house. Her readers call her “Mrs. Funny Bones”, informally.
Sunil Shetty
Besides being an action star, Sunil Shetty is also a film producer and entrepreneur. He owns a few dining bars in Mumbai, has his own production house named Popcorn Entertainment, and is also known to have ventured into real estate.
Sunil is also the owner of Mischief, a chain of boutiques spread across the entire length and breadth of Mumbai. Not just that, the actor also runs several restaurants specializing in Udupi cuisine in the city. Suniel is a television presenter also. He is also said to have a 50 percent stake in Hakim Aalim’s salons.
Sushmita Sen
The former Miss Universe who continues to win hearts, courtesy her beautiful nature and the causes she stands up for. She has set up a production company which goes by the name of Tantra Entertainment and owns a jewelry retail store in Dubai, which is managed by her mother.
The Bengali beauty also has plans to open a chain of hotels and spas under her company Sensazione. Sushmita was also heading the Miss Universe franchise ‘I Am She’ which was recently taken over by Femina.
Lara Dutta
Another smart beauty queen who didn’t chase on-screen success but lives life on her own terms instead. She has a production house named Bheegi Basanti.
She has also launched her sari collection in collaboration with Chabbra 555. She also has a fitness DVD to her credit.
Dino Morea
Despite a short-lived Bollywood innings, Dino Morea’s restaurant cum bar “Crepe Station” has branches all across the country which serves European delicacies. His retail line called Cool Mall Merchandise was launched by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
So, the next time you are in Mumbai, gorge on some waffles, pancakes and don’t forget the eggs, Benedict, at the Crepe Station!
Chunky Pandey
Our favorite Mr. Pasta is known for his comic timing in movies but not many know that he is a successful restaurant owner in real life as well. Chunky Pandey is the owner of a pub called ‘The Elbo Room’ which will give you a British pub feel. It offers a lavish and sophisticated oriental cuisine and amazing cocktails.
It is aptly said, “Where there is a will, there is a way”. There are enough sources in the world to make a lot of money. All you require is an idea to be clicked, a mind to work hard and smart, an audience to love you and of course a lot of investment.
“To get rich, you have to be making money while you’re asleep.”