STARS AND THEIR NEW STRIPES

THE LEADING LADIES OF THE BIG SCREEN-FROM KATRINA KAIF TO ALIA BHATT TO PRIYANKA CHOPRA TO DEEPIKA PADUKONE-HAVE CO-FOUNDED COMPANIES AND INVESTED IN START-UPS TO DIVERSIFY THEIR WEALTH

- SMITA TRIPATHI WITH VIDYA S., SOHINI MITTER AND PRERNA LIDHOO

DON'T LOOK AT LAUNCHING BRANDS, BUT IF I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT SOMETHING... AND I FEEL THAT I CAN ADD SOMETHING, THAT IS WHEN I TAKE THAT STEP - KATRINA KAIF ACTOR & ENTREPRENEUR

IF YOU ARE SURPRISED by the multi-star-cast of this story, don't be. Movie stars these days are much more than, ahem, movie stars. They are fashion trailblazers, brand ambassadors, philanthropists and do-gooders, and influencers, among other things. But why would they be included by Business Today in its premium listing of The Most Powerful Women in Business? In fact, four leading ladies make it to the prestigious list this year. Making their debut are Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. Deepika Padukone is here for the second time after last year, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas is in the list of global MPW, also for the second time. They are not here for their role in the business of movie making, where they are all megastars and some have their own production houses as well. They are in the list because of their entrepreneurial ventures, and their investments in other start-ups, where they display sharp business acumen, knowledge, commitment, and unsurprising confidence borne out of investing in something they love anyway, such as beauty products, fitness, or veganism, among other things.