Juhi Chawla is Bollywood’s richest actress today, thanks to a successful mix of films, business ventures, and investments.
Celebrated for her amazing comic timing and lively screen presence, Juhi Chawla rose to prominence as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. Today, she celebrates her 57th birthday. Her breakthrough came with ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, which earned her the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year and a nomination for Best Actress, securing her a place in fans’ hearts with her charm.
Juhi Chawla now stands as India’s wealthiest actress, surpassing popular stars like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Alia Bhatt. According to the 2024 Hurun Rich List, her net worth has reached an extraordinary Rs 4,600 crore, making her the second-richest Indian actor, just behind her business partner Shah Rukh Khan. Despite not having had a major box-office hit in over a decade, her financial success far outshines that of her peers. Here’s a look at the main sources fueling her remarkable wealth.
In the 1990s, Juhi Chawla was a top Bollywood star, earning approximately Rs 1 crore per film—a significant sum at the time. Her career boasted numerous box-office successes. After stepping back from the limelight, Juhi shifted her focus to the business world and strategic investments, skillfully building her wealth well beyond her film career.
Juhi Chawla’s wealth isn’t just rooted in her successful acting career; she has strategically expanded her income streams across various industries, and it’s paying off remarkably well. While her acting achievements in the 1990s laid the foundation for her fame, her true financial success stems from her ventures as a savvy entrepreneur. In 2000, Juhi Chawla co-founded a production company named Dreamz Unlimited with Shah Rukh Khan and Aziz Mirza. The venture launched with ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’ and went on to produce two more films, marking Juhi’s early steps into film production.
Juhi was instrumental in founding the Red Chillies Group, partnering with Shah Rukh Khan to co-produce films. In 2008, Juhi Chawla, along with Shah Rukh Khan and her husband Jay Mehta, acquired the ownership rights for the Kolkata franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at a cost of US$75.09 million. This strategic investment brought them the Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the league’s most popular and commercially successful teams.
Juhi Chawla’s wealth is further enhanced by her substantial investments in prime real estate throughout India. After marrying industrialist Jay Mehta, with whom she has two children, Juhi and her husband accumulated a portfolio of ultra-luxurious assets. Her real estate holdings and business ventures with Mehta have solidified her financial standing, giving her success over the years.
