Bollywood Stars Dive into Commercial Real Estate: A New Investment Trend

Bollywood celebrities are known for their extravagant residential properties, but a new trend is emerging. Film stars and their family members are now turning their attention to commercial real estate, particularly office spaces, in Mumbai and other cities. This shift is driven by the desire to diversify their investment portfolios and capitalize on higher rental yields and long-term gains.

From Kartik Aaryan and Saif Ali Khan to Hrithik Roshan and Kajol, these stars are buying and selling commercial properties, often in suburban areas of Mumbai. These investments are smaller in scale compared to the multi-crore, sea-facing homes they typically purchase but offer a different set of financial benefits.

Between 2024 and 2025, nearly 60 commercial property transactions, including outright purchases and leases, by Bollywood personalities have been registered, according to data compiled by Square Yards. This trend is not just limited to Mumbai; it reflects a broader recovery in the commercial real estate market across India.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, several actors and celebrity couples, including Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek, Janhvi Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone, invested heavily in luxury homes. However, the focus has now shifted to commercial real estate, which offers higher rental yields and long-term security.

Office properties in cities like Mumbai typically assure a rental yield of 6-9% annually, along with periodic rent escalations, compared to 2-3% in residential properties. This makes commercial real estate a more attractive investment for high-net-worth individuals like Bollywood stars.

The growth in the office segment is evident, with around 60 million sq ft of gross office leasing recorded between January and September 2025, according to property advisory CBRE India. This is expected to surpass 80 million sq ft this year, signaling a complete recovery from the pandemic-led slowdown in the office sector.

The Roshans Lead the Pack

Actor Kartik Aaryan has been one of the most active commercial real estate investors in recent months. In November, his parents, Mala Tiwari and Manish Tiwari, bought a 1,228 sq ft office in suburban Vile Parle for ₹10.83 crore. Earlier, in September, Aaryan, along with his parents, purchased an office space in Andheri West, Mumbai, for ₹13 crore.

Aaryan also bought a 2,000 sq ft plot worth ₹2 crore at Chateau de Alibaug, a project by The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), this year. The Roshans, including actor Hrithik Roshan, his parents Rakesh and Pramila, and their company HRX Digitech LLP, have purchased multiple office spaces in 2024 and 2025.

They purchased three office units in Mumbai's Chandivali area for ₹31 crore in July. Last year, the family entity bought five office units in the same building named Boomerang for ₹37.75 crore. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, recently leased a 1,294 sq ft office on the ground floor of Boomerang, choosing Mumbai as its hub as it gears up to launch satellite broadband services.

Kajol rented out a retail space in Mumbai’s Goregaon area to HDFC Bank for a total rent of ₹8.6 crore over a nine-year period. She had purchased the property earlier this year for ₹28.78 crore. Saif Ali Khan also invested in two office units in Andheri.

Tax Benefits

Bollywood A-listers have selectively bought commercial properties in the past, but the momentum has spiked in the past couple of years. “We are observing an increase in commercial real estate transactions by Bollywood celebrities largely because high-net-worth individuals view commercial properties as a way to diversify their investment portfolios beyond residential holdings and traditional financial assets,” said Deepak Khandelwal, principal partner and chief sales officer, Square Yards.

Many celebrities have chosen to acquire commercial space in key Mumbai micro-markets, including Andheri, Santacruz, and Goregaon, to generate a steady income stream, as well as for potential tax and depreciation benefits that differ from those on residential investments. Indian tax laws allow 10% depreciation on commercial assets, compared to 5% on residential properties, which can be deducted from the property's value, reducing taxable income.

While most transactions are investments, film production houses have also bought or leased commercial properties for their own use. Dharma Production Pvt Ltd leased around 5500 sq ft in the Ambivali area this year.

Following the pandemic, the housing market, particularly the luxury residential segment, recovered faster. The office market picked up later, and deals have since gained momentum. “Given that their profession doesn't have linear growth, commercial real estate creates that security and regular cash flows through steady rental income. It's also a tangible asset holding, and being celebrities, they can also get a better deal or discount,” said Akash Hariani, joint managing director at Motilal Oswal Private Wealth.