India, June 10 -- For actors, relying solely on acting projects is no longer the norm. Building a business alongside an entertainment career has become increasingly common in the industry. Bollywood A-listers like Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Kriti Sanon have built successful brands, and television actors are not far behind.

Actor Neha Marda, who rose to fame by playing Gehna in the hit television show Balika Vadhu, also jumped on the bandwagon. The actor, who took a break from acting after conceiving her first child, came up with the idea of converting a Rs.10 product - fitkari (alum) - into an alum-based roll-on brand, Phitku, which was eventually valued at Rs.180 crore.

Neha Marda pitched her brand, which she started with her h...