When stardom enters kitchen

Be it a Bollywood actor, comedian, cricketer or influencer, everyone is venturing into the restaurant business

- BY VIJETHA IYER

What happens when stardom steps into the kitchen? Increasingly, India’s celebrity figures, including, actors, comedians, cricketers and influencers, are lending more than just their names to the restaurant business. From curating menus to influencing décor choices, these personalities are shaping dining spaces that reflect their personal brand. The result? Restaurants where the interiors, concept and even the playlist carry the unmistakable imprint of a public figure—offering fans not just a meal, but a taste of their world.

These ventures extend beyond the following trends, merging culinary excellence with lifestyle branding. Each establishment reflects the founder's unique vision, evident in everything from the menu and interior design to the overall narrative. To name a few popular restaurants, actress Shilpa Shetty has launched Bastian (various outlets), cricketer Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune (various outlets), Bollywood director Karan Johar’s Neuma, singer Badshah’s DragonFly Experience in New Delhi, actress Malaika Arora’s Scarlett House in Mumbai, Arpita Khan’s Mercii in Mumbai, designer Gauri Khan's Torii in Mumbai, and cricketer Yuvraj Singh's newly launched KOCA in Gurgaon. The trend isn’t a fad; it’s going to stay.

What’s so exciting about restaurant biz?