Goa, July 24 -- Cricket superstar Virat Kohli has been named India's most valuable celebrity in Fortune India-Interbrand's inaugural 2026 rankings, underlining his unmatched commercial appeal and brand influence. Kohli, whose brand value is estimated at Rs.3,542 crore, topped the list ahead of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

The study evaluates celebrities beyond their popularity, measuring factors such as consumer trust, cultural relevance, engagement, social media influence and long-term commercial impact. According to the report, celebrity endorsements continue to play a significant role in marketing, with TAM Media Research data showing that 29 per cent of television advertisements feature celebri...