Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, known for his massive global fan following, has topped the High & Mighty 2024 Power List.
His recent box office successes have solidified his position as one of the entertainment industry’s most influential figures.
Alongside him, Deepika Padukone, another prominent Bollywood star, has been named the Most Powerful Female Star.
Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, whose recent films Pathaan and Jawan have been massive box-office successes, have cemented their positions as leading stars in Bollywood. Deepika, in particular, has had a phenomenal year with the release of Kalki 2898 AD.
This recognition is further solidified by India Today’s Power List 2024. Shahrukh Khan tops the list, followed by S.S. Rajamouli. Deepika Padukone secures the third spot, highlighting her significant contribution to the Indian film industry.
Speaking about Shahrukh Khan topping the list, India Today has shared reasons for choosing them to be on the list wherein they said, “Because he still has the chops to lure the fans in, be it in India, Abu Dhabi (where he hosted the IIFA awards) or Locarno where he won the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism award. Legend has it that they had to divert traffic for two blocks in Berlin after fans thronged his hotel to wish him on his birthday. Meanwhile, a re-run of the actor’s two-decade-old star-crossed romance, Veer Zaara, finally breasted the Rs 100 crore tape in worldwide collections”. They also mentioned the grand success of Jawan and Pathaan along with appreciating his skills as an entrepreneur and investor of KKR (IPL team) and also shared details of his extensive net worth, making him one of the richest actors in the world, which further cemented his position.
For SS Rajamouli, the note read, “Because with his Bahubali films and RRR, the Telugu film director is the gold standard when it comes to vision and spectacle in cinema. It’s why director/producer Karan Johar says there’s no “bigger filmmaker than Rajamouli in Indian cinema” now. Because he has shown that pan-India cinema is the way forward. Rajamouli has found a cinematic vocabulary where awe-inspiring images and high emotional quotient ensure a connection with audiences everywhere” along with several other reasons.
Coming to Deepika Padukone, the note said, “Because she’s the go-to actress for big screen spectacles. Be it YRF’s spy universe Pathaan, aerial action drama Fighter or dystopian sci-fi saga Kalki 2898 AD, Padukone likes her films big, bold and bountiful at the box office. Her last four films together grossed Rs 3,600 crore globally”. “Because she’s a global star. From presenting at the Oscars (2023) and BAFTAs (’24) to unveiling the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar and being honoured at the World Economic Forum for her work in creating awareness about mental health, Padukone has shone on some of the most prestigious stages. Because she’s a brand in herself, endorsing 14 labels, including the likes of Louis Vuitton”, it added.