Bollywood star wives mean business

Earlier, they were to remain mere prized trophies of their celeb husbands, and do nothing more than pout and doll-up whenever they stepped out with their men, but today, star wives are more than just mere glam dolls.

They’ve upped their value by investing in businesses and even movie production, proving that they can in fact juggle “star wife” duties as well as contribute as career women.

They are on magazine covers, telly talk shows, and even model for high-profile brands.

Indian actor Hritik Roshan (L) and his wife Sussanne. (AFP)

And that’s not all. They even set up their own business and even head their celeb husband’s production houses, turning their spot in the spotlight one of relevance.

The lady, who tops the star wives club, is none other than Shah Rukh Khan’s better-half Gauri.

Apart from joining SRK in a few brand endorsements, Gauri also plays an impactful role as a film producer.

Till date, she has produced eight films, after she co-founded Red Chilllies Entertainment production in 2002.

Alongside, she also launched a furniture line, which she runs along with Hrithik Roshan’s wife Sussanne, who has her own interior design store ‘The Charcoal Project’.

The two besties have appeared together on telly shows and cover magazines, claiming how they felt the need to step out of their husband’s shadows and take on more productive roles.

Sussanne has recently launched an interior décor website that sells products that she endorses.

Indian Bollywood film actor, director and singer Farhan Akhtar (L) and wife Adhuna Akhtar. (AFP)

Even Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao refused to slink into oblivion after marrying the super-star, and debuted as a director post their high-profilew wedding.

Then, there’s item diva Malaika Arora-Khan and little-known actress Twinkle Khanna, who did step up as film producers for their actor-husbands.

Twinkle also runs her interior design store ‘The White Window’, and even designs home interiors for other celebs. She even won the Elle Décor International Design Award for her creative contributions in the field.

Farhan Akhtar’s wife Adhuna also has her own hair styling company, even venturing out into a few film sets as stylist.

Indian Bollywood film actor Shah Rukh Khan (L) and his wife Gauri Khan. (AFP)

This so-called rebirth of the star wives is very recent. According to writer Shobhaa De, “For decades Bollywood's star wives were kept in virtual purdah and allowed out for an airing occasionally... generally at funerals”.

They were, in her opinion, perceived to suffer alone as their famed husbands were rumoured to date their gorgeous co-stars.

But, that has changed after the entry of the younger, more ambitious women, who aren’t afraid to chart out their own independent dreams.

In fact, they even turn aspirational for many married women.

After Sussanne started out on her own, it inspired more women to find their true calling, observes Sujata Assomull Sippy, a former editor of Harper's Bazaar India.

“You can't become a Bollywood star at 40, but you can turn a passion for interiors or fashion or whatever into a business, into a career, even after you have had kids. And women are drawn to that when they see Sussanne,” she told the Indian media.

The star wives aren’t reluctant to credit their actor-husbands for helping them start out. 

“It's a huge bonus, no question, but my idea of success really isn't about being married to a movie star,” asserted Sussanne in a newspaper interview.

“I think it's very important for any woman to aspire to be independent, to be your own person and speak up for yourself. Women today aspire to do much more than just look good.”

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