Table of Contents
Virat Kohli topped the list of the most valuable celebrities in India in 2026. Along with Virat Kohli, two other Indian cricketers are named in the list of the top 10; the remaining eight personalities belong to the silver screen.
TAM Media Research, commonly known as TAM Media, conducted a survey to find out the top Indian celebrities this year. Other than Virat, former India cricketers MS Dhoni and legendary Sachin Tendulkar are the other two sports personalities in the list.
Why has Virat Kohli been named as the most valuable celebrity in India in 2026?
‘Value’ of a celebrity nowadays not only depends on their contributions in their respective fields, but also on how they have influenced a larger audience outside of their profession.
For example, Virat, who is a cricketer, but his impact is beyond the cricket circle. Virat retired from the T20Is and Tests a long time ago, remains active only in the One Day International format, which thins his activity on the ground as a cricketer.
Apart from playing for the India National Cricket Team, his influence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is undeniable.
Activities outside cricket help Virat Kohli emerge as the No.1 valuable celebrity in India
The study, which has identified the most valuable celebrities of the nation, includes each celebrity's contributions through brand endorsement, trust, social media influence, relevance in culture, brand value engagement, and commercial impact.
Outside activities related to cricket, Virat is actively engaged with his venture One8 and has been associated with multiple well-known companies as a brand ambassador for promoting brands by gaining the trust of followers and a larger audience.
MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, both of the cricket stars, retired long ago from cricket. While MS Dhoni made appearances in the Indian Premier League with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sachin played his last competitive match in the final of the International Masters League T20 tournament on March 16, 2025, but retired from Tests in 2013.
MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar remain relevant across the nation
Dhoni and Tendulkar are still relevant in Indian cricket because of the legacy they have created through their heroics in cricket. Later, after their retirements, when their appearances for any teams gradually became very limited, they remain top celebrities through their off-the-field activities. Because of their reputations among cricket fans and achievements, brands often appoint them as the face for their initiatives or any product.
As cricket is the most popular sport in India, the list of top 10 celebrities contains Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar. After Virat Kohli, in the second place, it is the Bollywood ‘king’ Shah Rukh Khan, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas captures the third place in the list of top ten.
Most Valuable Celebrities in India 2026 according to TAM Media:
1. Virat Kohli
2. Shah Rukh Khan
3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
4. MS Dhoni
5. Ranveer Singh
6. Akshay Kumar
7. Amitabh Bachchan
8. Sachin Tendulkar
9. Alia Bhatt
10. Allu Arjun
