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In an ever-evolving Bollywood landscape, stardom is no longer defined solely by box office numbers or the popularity of formulaic scripts. The digital age has expanded the definition of celebrity success to include brand endorsements, social media engagement, and online streaming viewership. Today, an actor’s popularity is determined as much by their screen presence as by their global digital footprint.
Proving this shift in the industry, IMDb has released two landmark lists that highlight the reigning superstars of Indian cinema. Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood’s beloved “Badshah,” continues his reign by topping IMDb’s Most Prolific Headliners list of the past 25 years. Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone has made history by becoming the first female actor to claim the number-one spot on IMDb’s Most Viewed Indian Stars of the Decade list—surpassing even industry giants like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Alia Bhatt.
Shah Rukh Khan: Undefeated King of IMDb’s ‘Prolific Headliners’
IMDb’s Indian Cinema’s Most Prolific Headliners list celebrates actors who have consistently delivered hits that made it into IMDb’s top five films of each year across 25 years. Shah Rukh Khan stands tall at the very top of this list, underscoring his unshakable dominance in Bollywood.
According to IMDb, 20 of SRK’s films have featured among the top 130 films over the last quarter-century. Notably, his films held the number-one spot every year from 2000 to 2004—a feat unmatched by any other actor. Even in years when he didn’t release a new film, the report revealed, SRK managed to remain a fixture on the Popular Indian Celebrities list. In 2024 alone, he appeared in the Top 10 every single week, a testament to his enduring star power.
Following him are Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan in the second position, with 11 films each in the top 130. Deepika Padukone takes the third spot with 10 films, while Ajay Devgn ranks fifth with 7. Other icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Rani Mukerji have 6 films each on the list. Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, and Akshay Kumar have 5 each. Further down, actors like Rashmika Mandanna, Rajkummar Rao, Kamal Haasan, and Prabhas secure their legacy with 4 films apiece.
Deepika Padukone: IMDb’s Most Viewed Indian Star of the Decade
In June 2024, IMDb unveiled another milestone list: The Most Viewed Indian Stars of the Last Decade. This ranking, based on IMDb’s weekly popularity charts from January 2014 to April 2024, marked a historic shift—female actors surpassing their male counterparts in stardom.
Deepika Padukone claimed the top spot, becoming IMDb’s most viewed Indian star of the decade. Shah Rukh Khan followed closely in second place, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Alia Bhatt ranked third and fourth. The late Irrfan Khan held the fifth position.
Reflecting on her achievement, Deepika shared,
“When I began my journey, I was often told how a woman must or is expected to navigate her career in order to be successful. However, from the very beginning, I was never afraid to ask questions, ruffle feathers, walk a more difficult path, and challenge the status quo in order to reshape the mould we have all been expected to fit into. The faith my family, fans, and collaborators have had in me has also empowered me to make the choices and decisions that I have, hopefully forever altering the path those after me will tread.”
The list of top ten stars featured familiar names: Aamir Khan in sixth place, the late Sushant Singh Rajput at seventh, and Salman Khan in eighth. Beyond Bollywood, South Indian stars also made their mark, with Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Nayanthara ranking 13th, 16th, and 18th respectively. Among southern male actors, Prabhas, Dhanush, and Ram Charan secured spots between 29 and 31.
Deepika described her IMDb win as humbling, telling Variety,
“IMDb stands as a beacon of credibility, reflecting the true pulse of people’s passion, interests, and preferences. This recognition is truly humbling and inspires me to continue connecting with and reciprocating the love I receive from audiences, both on and off screen, with authenticity and purpose.”
Aamir Khan’s Crossover Appeal
While Shah Rukh Khan rules Bollywood’s mainstream arena, Aamir Khan is celebrated for his crossover appeal across global audiences. His film 3 Idiots remains the most popular Indian movie worldwide, with over 468,000 IMDb user ratings and an aggregate score of 8.4. Interestingly, RRR may be the most popular Indian movie in the United States, but 3 Idiots holds its crown in the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Aamir’s Dangal has earned iconic status in the UAE and China, while Taare Zameen Par found an emotional connection with audiences in Brazil. His international popularity proves the universal resonance of his storytelling.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt has cemented her place among India’s most popular stars with standout performances in films like Highway (2014) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). Similarly, Aishwarya Rai continues to wield influence despite fewer film appearances, thanks to global events like Cannes and Paris Fashion Week keeping her in the spotlight.
Shah Rukh Khan Joins the Billionaire’s Club
2025 has been nothing short of historic for Shah Rukh Khan. Alongside his IMDb achievements, he has officially entered the billionaire’s club, according to the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025. With an estimated wealth of ₹12,490 crore, SRK now ranks as the richest film personality in India.
A large portion of his fortune comes from his production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, founded in 2002. The company has produced blockbuster films and employs over 500 people.
His real estate empire adds further heft to his wealth. His Mumbai residence, Mannat, worth over ₹200 crore, is considered a cultural landmark. Beyond Mumbai, he owns a luxury apartment in London’s Park Lane, a vacation home in England, a villa in Beverly Hills, a farmhouse in Alibaug, and a residence in Dubai.
SRK’s garage is equally enviable, featuring luxury cars such as BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, Audis, a Rolls-Royce Phantom worth ₹9.5 crore, a Bentley Continental GT priced at ₹3.29 crore, and the crown jewel—a Bugatti Veyron valued at ₹12 crore.
The top five richest film personalities list also features Juhi Chawla and family with ₹7,790 crore (thanks largely to Knight Riders Sports), Hrithik Roshan with ₹2,160 crore, Karan Johar with ₹1,880 crore, and Amitabh Bachchan and family at ₹1,630 crore.
Shah Rukh Khan Returns as Filmfare Awards Host After 17 Years
Adding to his list of 2025 milestones, Shah Rukh Khan will return as the host of the Filmfare Awards after 17 long years. The superstar last anchored the show in 2008. This year, he will share the stage with Maniesh Paul and Karan Johar.
The 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 with Gujarat Tourism will take place on October 11 at Eka Arena in Ahmedabad. The announcement described SRK as “The Superstar, The Icon, The Enigma,” and fans are eagerly anticipating his signature wit and charm.
SRK has a long and memorable history with Filmfare, having hosted with Saif Ali Khan in 2003 and 2004, where their humorous exchanges became legendary. He returned in 2007 with Karan Johar and in 2008 with Saif, Karan, and Vidya Balan. Since then, he has only made smaller appearances, making this comeback highly anticipated.
This year’s Filmfare will also be historic as it marks the first time the event is being hosted in Gujarat. The nominations are already creating buzz, with Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies leading with a record 24 nods, followed by the action-packed Kill with 15.
The Reign of King Khan and the Rise of Deepika
Shah Rukh Khan’s continued dominance in IMDb rankings, his entry into the billionaire’s club, and his highly awaited hosting return at Filmfare all confirm his status as the undisputed “King Khan” of Bollywood. Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone’s historic IMDb win solidifies her place as not just one of Bollywood’s leading ladies but a global star who has redefined success for female actors.
Together, their journeys reflect the changing face of Indian cinema—where superstardom is measured not just by box office numbers, but by global influence, digital presence, and an enduring connection with fans.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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