NEW DELHI: Actor Shah Rukh Khan has topped the inaugural Forbes India Celebrity 100 list, a ranking of India?s biggest entertainers based on their income and popularity.

Actor Salman Khan and cricket skipper M S Dhoni, who closely followed in the ranking, were beaten by SRK thanks to his earning power. By Forbes India estimates, Shah Rukh earned Rs 2.028 billion compared to Salman?s Rs 1.442 billion and Dhoni?s Rs 1.3516 billion between October 2011 and September 2012. 

Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan are the other two celebrities in the top five.

The Forbes India top 10 Celebs:

The ranking is a part of Forbes India?s special edition that decoded what lies behind the success of India?s biggest creative entrepreneurs. The special edition has features, essays, interviews, infographics and snippets on the various facets of Indian entertainment industry.

?Today, India does not quite have a creative economy that is as big and vibrant as a country of a billion people ought to have. As incomes rise and basic needs get covered, spends on entertainment will sky-rocket, as we have seen with IPL cricket. The interplay of technology and new forms of creativity will completely transform the entertainment space over the next decade,? says Forbes India Editor Indrajit Gupta.

The list is an attempt to rank the most powerful and the most popular of the players who are at the centre of this sector. The list ranks celebrities across eight categories ? Actors, Sportspersons, TV personalities (Malaika Arora Khan who earned Rs 56.5 million), Comedians (Vir Das, Rs 16 million), Directors (Karan Johar Rs 100 million), Models (Esha Gupta Rs 9.375 million) and Musicians (AR Rahman Rs 329.1 million).

It was compiled based on a rigorous process that considered their income (from the business of entertainment) and fame (as measured by media mentions, online presence, and social media followers)

A majority of celebrities fall in the age bracket of 30 to 50. However, that has not prevented a clutch of 12 youngsters like Saina Nehwal, Virat Kohli, Anusukha Sharma and Sania Mirza from breaking into the top 50. In fact at age 23, Saina Nehwal is the youngest on the list.

The package includes extensive and insightful reports on lives, though processes and businesses of some of India?s most actors, directors, sportsmen and musicians. The cover story reveals an often neglected aspect of the King Khan ? as a businessman and investor. Managing one?s life and career is a recurring theme, told from the perspectives of celebrities such as Salman Khan, Karan Johar, M S Dhoni, Boman Irani, Priyanka Chopra, Anurag Kashyap, and Gul Panag , but with lessons for everyone.

The magazine priced Rs 125 will be available across the country on newsstands from 28 January.