Star wives Gauri and Sussanne mean business in B-town

Earlier, they’d merely parade around with their famed actor-husbands, and doll-up to make a perfect trophy wife.

But today, Bollywood star wives are stepping out of the shadows of their famous husbands to discover their true calling.

From setting up their own business to playing an important role in movie production, these women are proving that they can juggle “star wife” duties with a flourishing career.

They are on glossy, mag covers, telly talk shows, and even brand ambassadors for high-end products.

Gauri Khan

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

Apart from joining SRK in a few brand endorsements, namely Cinthol back in the day and D’décor today, Gauri also plays an influential role as film producer.

Till date, she has produced nine films, after she co-founded Red Chilllies Entertainment production with SRK in 2002. She even manages SRK’s IPL cricket team.

She also launched a furniture line and stocks her treasure finds in Hrithik Roshan’s wife Sussanne’s design store ‘The Charcoal Project’.

Sussanne Roshan

Apart from setting shop with ‘The Charcoal Project’ in Mumbai, Sussanne also launched an interior décor website that sells products that she endorses. Having studied interior design from a highly reputed school in California, she also operates a boutique called House of Design Store.

Her home décor solutions are hugely successful in India, but she gives her star-husband Hrithik Roshan only part of the credit.

“It's a huge bonus, no question, but my idea of success really isn't about being married to a movie star,” asserted Sussane to the Indian media.

“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.”

Kiran Rao

Although she raised a few eyebrows after stepping into then-divorced Aamir Khan’s life, Kiran Rao quickly turned the bad publicity in her favour after waiting patiently for her turn in the spotlight.

Despite partly piggybacking on her actor-husband’s fame for her directorial debut ‘Dhobi Ghat’, the critics praised her for her sophisticated filmmaking style.

After, having worked as an assistant director in big hits like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Swades’, ‘Saathiya’ and ‘Monsoon Wedding’, she turned producer for ‘Taare Zameen Par’, ‘Jaane Tu…’, ‘Peepli Live’, ‘Delhi Belly’, and ‘Talaash’.

And, not many people know that she even made an acting cameo in Aamir-starrer ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.

And, the rumour mills are abuzz that she will also make a fleeting appearance in Aamir’s next big release ‘Peekay’.

Twinkle Khanna

When her acting career didn’t take off as expected, Twinkle decided to take a backseat and help her actress-mom in her candle-making business.

Then, married to celebrated actor Akshay Kumar, Twinkle decided to ditch Bollywood and set up her own interior design store called ‘The White Window’.

When she’s not managing her store, she works as an interior designer and helps other celebs decorate their homes.

Twinkle might’ve never won recognition for her acting, but for home design, she was awarded the Elle Décor International Design Award for her creative contributions.

And, like the other star wives, even Twinkle has entered into film production, and plays an important role in husband Akshay’s production house – Hari Om Productions.

Adhuna Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar’s wife Adhuna might not nurture any plans to step into film production, but she has established an impression in the field of hairstyling in Bollywood.

After receiving immense appreciation for her funky hair-dos for ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ cast – Aamir, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta and Akshay Khanna, she went on to work in Farhan’s second movie ‘Lakshay’.

A lot was focused on Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta’s hairstyles in the film, and how it changed as their personality developed.

Apart from being a hairstylist on the set of Farhan’s movies, she has opened 17 salons across India under the brand ‘b:blunt’.

Maheep Kapoor

Unlike her actor-husband Sanjay Kapoor, who was unable to hold on to his spot in the Bollywood spotlight, Maheep made it big in the jewellery business.

Her jewellery designs are hugely popular among the rich and famous, and her collections are a cut about the rest.

In fact, her designs even make appearances on the big screen in movies like ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’.
 

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