Most of Shilpa Shetty’s wealth comes not from acting, but from her smart business moves.
Bollywood has never really been fair to the women when it comes to age. While male actors comfortably headline films well into their 50s and 60s, most actresses see the spotlight fade much earlier. Though the tide is slowly turning—with stars like Deepika Padukone continuing to shine in their late 30s—the previous generations had it tougher. Shilpa Shetty, for example, still looks like she could easily outshine many newcomers with her style, energy, and unbeatable fitness. Yet, like many others, she found fewer roles coming her way as the years went by. But where her story takes a powerful turn is instead of fading into the background, Shilpa stepped into a whole new world—and conquered it. She reinvented herself as a businesswoman and built a brand stronger than ever, proving that her journey was far from over.
On Shilpa's 50th birthday, let's take a look at her inspiring evolution from a Bollywood star to a successful entrepreneur.
At just 17, Shilpa Shetty lit up the big screen with her debut in 'Baazigar', holding her own opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Her performance earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a sign of the promising journey ahead. Over the next three decades, she appeared in more than 50 films—ranging from romantic dramas like 'Dhadkan', which turned out to be a turning point in her career, to socially conscious films like 'Phir Milenge', which brought her another Filmfare nomination.
She danced her way into the audience’s hearts with peppy numbers like "UP Bihar Lootne", and punched through action scenes in 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari'. “I’ve always believed in evolving with every role,” she once told Filmfare, and her film choices reflected exactly that.
In 2007, she won Celebrity Big Brother in the UK, making global headlines not just for her win but also for the grace and dignity with which she handled the racism row in the house. And even now, in 2024, she is not slowing down—she returned to the screen as a tough cop in Rohit Shetty’s 'Indian Police Force", proving her staying power.
Off the big screen, she is a familiar face on television too. As a judge on reality shows like Super Dancer and Nach Baliye, she reportedly earned around Rs 22 lakh per episode, making her one of the most sought-after names on Indian TV.
Even during her acting peak, Shilpa had a head for numbers. Her early exposure to business while helping her father gave her the confidence to explore life beyond films. “I’d rather have a stake in the pie,” she said in an interview, explaining why she moved towards entrepreneurship instead of simply endorsing brands.
That business acumen paid off handsomely in 2018 when she invested Rs 6.7 crore in Honasa Consumer Ltd., the parent company of Mamaearth. Back then, the company was valued at around Rs 35 crore. By 2023, when Mamaearth went public at a valuation of Rs 11,000 crore, Shilpa offloaded 13.93 lakh shares and walked away with Rs 45.13 crore. Her remaining 2.3 lakh shares were still worth over Rs 5 crore in 2024.
(Credit: businessinsiderin)
Shilpa didn’t stop at one big win. Her portfolio is an impressive mix of glamor, tech, food, and wellness. In 2019, she bought a 50% stake in Bastian—an upscale Mumbai restaurant loved by celebrities and foodies alike. When a second outlet opened at Kohinoor Tower in 2023, she cheekily told the press, “We’re making much more than people think!” Bastian has also ranked among the highest GST contributors in the hospitality sector, proving its roaring business.
(Credit: theshilpashetty)
In 2022, she stepped into the tech world with SVS Studio, a VFX and animation company, investing Rs 10 crore to meet the growing demand for high-quality digital content. The same year, she launched DreamSS, her own clothing brand with designers Charu and Sandeep Arora. The label focuses on stylish athleisure while empowering underprivileged women by involving them in the production process.
(Credit: theshilpashetty)
Shilpa’s commitment to wellness is more than skin deep—it drives her investment philosophy. In 2019, she launched her health and fitness app Simple Soulful: Shilpa Shetty, offering yoga routines, personalized diet plans, and fitness tips that reflect her own lifestyle.
(Credit: simplesoulfulapp)
In 2023, she backed WickedGud, a direct-to-consumer brand making maida-free noodles and pasta. “My kids loved it, and I was sold,” she quipped. She invested Rs 2.25 crore in the venture, which aligns with her belief that healthy food can still be fun.
She's also been involved with Mamaearth's wellness offshoots and has put money behind fast-growing health brands like Nutrispray, Chicnutrix, and Fast&Up. And in 2024, she backed Sustainiam, a green-tech firm, with an investment of $1.45 million, showcasing her commitment to sustainability.
Her brand value remains sky-high too. She reportedly charges up to Rs 1 crore for endorsements—proof that her personal brand still commands big numbers.
(Credit: theshilpashetty)
No entrepreneurial journey is without its bumps. Shilpa and her husband Raj Kundra co-owned the IPL team Rajasthan Royals from 2009 to 2015, with an 11.7% stake valued at $15.4 million. The dream run ended in controversy when the team was suspended following a betting scandal. While the incident cast a shadow, Shilpa remained largely unaffected in the court of public opinion, and it didn’t dent her business ambitions.
The Rajasthan Royals r a pack of wolves that will hunt u down together,can't call them the underdogs anymore😀so proud , go Royals.👏
— SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) April 19, 2015
(Credit: SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA)
“The brand has to be bigger than you,” she once said in an interview—an insight into how she approaches scaling her ventures. With a net worth estimated at Rs 134 crore, Shilpa Shetty Kundra has carved out a unique identity, which is part Bollywood royalty, part boardroom boss.
Happy Birthday, Shilpa. Best Wishes for All Your Upcoming Endeavors!
