Variety 500 list consists of the most impactful personalities of which 10 are Indians and Shah Rukh Khan takes a place among them with his hits.
Variety carefully selects individuals who show innovation, take risks, foster growth, and make impactful moves that catch the attention of both discerning consumers and industry experts.
Shah Rukh Khan, a standout in the Indian film scene, had a successful year with three movie releases. Variety highlights, “Shah Rukh Khan made a strong comeback in 2023 with the hits Pathaan and Jawan, the latter produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company he co-founded. Known as ‘SRK’ or the ‘King of Bollywood,’ he transformed from a romantic star to an action hero.” His third film of the year, Dunki, is currently captivating audiences, marking his first collaboration with Rajkumar Hirani.
Jr NTR, known for his role in the Oscar-winning RRR, secures a deserved spot in the Variety 500. Variety praises his versatility, stating, “NTR Jr, or ‘NTR,’ seamlessly embodies diverse roles while retaining the larger-than-life heroism crucial for success in mainstream Indian cinema.”
Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Pathaan produced by Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films, is lauded by Variety. They note, “Chopra led Yash Raj Films to unprecedented success in 2023 with the action-packed thriller Pathaan, featuring India’s biggest stars. The film earned over $126 million globally, making it one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever.”
Siddharth Roy Kapur, a prolific producer, orchestrated the critically acclaimed series Rocket Boys. Variety commends him, saying, “He debuted the second season of Rocket Boys, a Hindi-language series chronicling India’s journey to nuclear prowess, on the streaming platform SonyLIV.”
Ektaa Kapoor, honored with the International Emmy Directorate Award, is celebrated by Variety. They recount, “Upon receiving the award, Kapoor fondly recalled starting Balaji Telefilms in her garage in 1994 with her mother, often referred to as ‘lady producers.'”
Bhushan Kumar, behind recent hits like Animal, is recognized as “the younger Kumar” who took charge at 19, steering the enterprise to its current heights. Variety notes, “T-Series’ successes in 2022 and 2023, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Drishyam 2, and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, contribute to its growing influence. The upcoming slate includes titles like The Diplomat, Metro in Dino, and the third Aashiqui franchise installment. T-Series is also expanding into series production for streaming platforms while strengthening its musical presence in India.”
Mukesh Ambani, a business titan, is acknowledged for his wealth and leadership of Reliance Industries. Variety states, “Ranked as the world’s 11th-richest individual, Ambani’s net worth is $88.1 billion. Leading India’s Reliance Industries with a market cap of $190 billion, his interests span petrochemicals, telecom, and retail.”
Variety applauds Shivani Pandya Malhotra for building the Red Sea International Film Festival from scratch. They note, “In its second year, the festival attracted nearly 40,000 cinephiles and 4,345 film professionals over a 10-day period in December 2022, featuring a distinguished jury led by Oliver Stone.”
NP Singh secures a spot in the Variety 500, recognized for his role in the merger of Sony Pictures Networks India with Zee Entertainment. Variety mentions his growth initiatives, including SonyLIV, SET, and SET India.