Virat Kohli’s Popularity Surges as India’s Most-Valued Celebrity

In a resounding comeback, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has surged to the forefront of India’s celebrity brand valuation rankings, reclaiming his title as the most valued celebrity in the country. According to the latest ‘Celebrity Brand Valuation’ report by Kroll, Kohli’s brand value skyrocketed to $227.9 million in 2023, marking a substantial 28.9% increase from $176.9 million in 2022.

This surge not only underscores Kohli’s enduring popularity but also highlights his pivotal role in the lucrative world of celebrity endorsements. Despite experiencing a slight dip in previous years, Kohli’s latest valuation places him ahead of Bollywood stalwarts and fellow sports personalities alike.

The report reveals that India’s top 25 celebrities collectively saw their brand values grow by 15.5% to a staggering $1.9 billion in 2023. This growth reflects the robust demand for celebrity endorsements across various sectors, bolstered by Kohli’s influential presence across over 40 brands. His endorsements span diverse industries, including his recent collaboration as brand ambassador for HSBC India.

Kohli’s resurgence comes amidst a dynamic landscape where celebrities like actor Ranveer Singh and cricket legend Shah Rukh Khan also saw significant gains. Singh, now in second place, boasts a commendable brand value of $203.1 million, while Khan, propelled by the success of recent films, surged to third place with $120.7 million—a remarkable 116.6% increase from the previous year.

Despite these strides, Kohli’s current valuation remains slightly below his pre-pandemic peak of $237 million, a testament to both the challenges and opportunities in the evolving celebrity endorsement market.

Moreover, Kohli’s influence extends beyond brand endorsements, as evidenced by his substantial earnings of $126 million (approximately Rs 1050 crore) in 2023, firmly establishing him as one of India’s wealthiest sports personalities.

As Kohli continues to steer his career on and off the field, his ascent in the realm of celebrity branding reaffirms his status as a pivotal figure in shaping India’s entertainment and sports landscape. With his robust portfolio and unwavering fan base, Kohli’s trajectory remains one to watch, setting benchmarks and inspiring a new generation of aspirants in the realm of celebrity influence and brand endorsement.

 

Celebrity Brand Ranking according to Kroll

1. Virat Kohli

2. Ranveer Singh

3. Shah Rukh Khan

4. Akshay Kumar

5. Alia Bhatt

6. Deepika Padukone

7. MS Dhoni

8. Sachin Tendulkar

9. Amitabh Bachchan

10. Salman Khan