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.
 

MUMBAI: CNN Films, a production and acquisition unit of CNN Worldwide, will announce three new projects from filmmakers Andrew Rossi, the co-directorial team of Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein, as well as a third project directed by Steve James to be executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Steve Zaillian, at a reception co-hosted by CNN Films and the Sundance Institute in Park City.

CNN is acquiring the US broadcast rights to a documentary about the life of Roger Ebert, the journalist, film critic and screenwriter, based upon Ebert?s own memoir, ?Life Itself?. The film is being produced by Kartemquin Films and Steve Zaillian and Garrett Basch?s Film Rites with James directing and Scorsese and Zaillian as executive producers. It will be theatrically released prior to the CNN airing it next year.

The projects associated with Tucker/Epperlein and Rossi are expected to air on CNN in 2013. The untitled Tucker/Epperlein-directed project uses the prism of still photography to reconstruct the events at Ground Zero, and around the country, in the days immediately after the 11 September attacks. The film reveals secret stories behind some of the most extraordinary pictures from that horrific day, and examines how images help us heal and understand.

The yet untitled film to be directed by Rossi examines the historic transformation under way in higher education. Told through the stories of students, educators, and administrators, from the Ivy League to community colleges across the country, the film looks at the costs - and questions of relevance and innovation - that are shaping the future of college as we know it in America.

CNN Worldwide managing editor Mark Whitaker said, "CNN is proud to announce these production agreements at this festival which has done so much to support independent storytelling. Our aim at CNN Films is to showcase the work of exceptional documentary filmmakers and to build conversations around the issues they raise across our global platforms."

CNN Films acquired ?Girl Rising? last year. The documentary is directed by Richard E. Robbins and executive produced by Tom Yellin and Holly Gordon of the Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen of Vulcan Productions. The film portrays the inspiring stories of nine girls from around the world, struggling to overcome incredible odds to achieve an education.

Vocal performances by Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway, and actresses Selena Gomez and Kerry Washington for the film were announced in October. At Sundance, it was also announced that Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, actress Priyanka Chopra, Academy Award winner Salma Hayek, musician Alicia Keys, actresses Freida Pinto and Chlo? Moretz, and actor Liam Neeson will also contribute vocal performances to the documentary. The film?s theatrical debut in March and broadcast premiere on CNN in June 2013 will follow the Sundance sneak preview.