The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli dethroned Bollywood’s biggest A-listers to top the Forbes India Celebrity 100 List in 2019, becoming the first sportsperson to do so since its inception eight years ago. As per the reports of Forbes, Kohli is holding the no.1 position The top position as he earned ₹252.72 crores between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019.
Akshay Kumar has also witnessed significant gains as he donning the second spot with ₹293.25 crores in the period of consideration and Salman Khan, who has been at the top of the list since 2016, completed the top three. However, Forces also explained the reason behind Kohli ranking higher than Akshay Kumar, who posted higher earnings than the India skipper.
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Explaining the rankings grounds, Forbes said, “The celebrity ranks are based on an aggregate of the estimated earnings and their calculated fame quotient, via print and social media reach. Some celebrities who score very high on fame might be ranked higher than those who have stronger revenues, but a poor fame score.”
#InPictures From @imVkohli and @akshaykumar to @RishabhPant17 and @iAmNehaKakkar: The 2019 #ForbesIndiaCeleb100 list of the highest-earning celebrities of the year features outliers, surprises and stalwarts https://t.co/jKVHqonfaj pic.twitter.com/r9q2a6R2mm
— Forbes India (@ForbesIndia) December 20, 2019
According to Forbes India, Kohli made his earnings from match fees, the BCCI central contract, brand endorsements and an eight-figure fee for every sponsored Instagram post.
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Former India skipper, MS Dhoni and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar also make the top 10 in the list at the fifth and ninth positions respectively. According to Forbes, Tendulkar holds the distinction of appearing in the top 10 of the list every year despite having retired from the game in 2013.
For the first time, three women cricketers—@M_Raj03, @mandhana_smriti and @ImHarmanpreet—make it to the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list for 2019: https://t.co/YZBh4CKi6B | By @c_sayan2015 #ForbesIndiaCeleb100 pic.twitter.com/tSF47YMwHJ
— Forbes India (@ForbesIndia) December 21, 2019
Women cricketers Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur are also in the top 100 list. It has happened for the first time that three women cricketers have emerged on the list. Other athletes who made the Forbes India Celebrity 100 List are shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, wrestler Bajrang Punia, boxer Mary Kom, tennis player Rohan Bopanna, footballer Sunil Chhetri and golfer Anirban Lahiri.
