15 Indians Who Earn More Abroad Than Bollywood Stars Do in India

When we think of fame and fortune in India, Bollywood instantly comes to mind. Yet, far away from the film studios of Mumbai, a different kind of stardom is being written — in boardrooms, laboratories, and tech campuses across the world. These are Indians who don’t dance under the spotlight but lead global corporations, build billion-dollar startups, and influence economies — often earning more than even India’s biggest film stars.

Net Worth: ₹1,49,000 crore (~$17.9 billion)
Annual Earnings: ₹1,000+ crore From a small village in Himachal Pradesh to the heart of Silicon Valley, Jay Chaudhry built Zscaler, a cloud security empire that now protects some of the world’s largest corporations. His story embodies the Indian dream turned global — education, persistence, and the will to innovate beyond boundaries.
Net Worth: ₹10,800 crore (~$1.3 billion) Annual Compensation: ₹1,200+ crore
Chennai-born Sundar Pichai oversees one of the most powerful tech companies in history. His annual compensation exceeds ₹1,200 crore, thanks to bonuses and stock options. Under his leadership, Google has expanded AI, cloud, and sustainability efforts, while he remains one of the most respected Indian-origin CEOs worldwide.
Net Worth: ₹9,100 crore (~$1.1 billion)
Annual Compensation: ₹800–₹1,000 crore
Hyderabad-born Satya Nadella transformed Microsoft from a software company into a cloud and AI powerhouse. His leadership style — blending empathy with innovation — has redefined corporate success. Nadella’s earnings exceed most Bollywood superstars, underscoring the global demand for Indian intellect.
Net Worth: ₹5,000+ crore (~$6 billion)
Annual Earnings: ₹400–₹600 crore
One of the world’s most successful women CEOs, Jayshree Ullal leads Arista Networks, a leading cloud networking firm. Born in London and raised in Delhi, Ullal’s rise to tech leadership proves that Indian women are breaking glass ceilings on global stages.

Net Worth: ₹9,000+ crore (~$10.4 billion)
Annual Earnings: ₹500+ crore
A co-founder of Sun Microsystems and now a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, Vinod Khosla backs breakthrough innovations in energy, healthcare, and AI. His investment returns alone make him richer than most Bollywood stars’ lifetime earnings.
Net Worth: ₹4,200 crore (~$4.2 billion)
Annual Earnings: ₹300–₹500 crore
Rajiv Jain is the quiet billionaire behind some of the biggest investment decisions on Wall Street. His firm, GQG Partners, has poured billions into Indian companies — including Adani Group — showcasing how Indian-born investors now influence global markets.
Net Worth: ₹1,200+ crore (~$1.4 billion)
Annual Salary: ₹300+ crore
Nikesh Arora, a former Google executive, now heads cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks. His pay package consistently ranks among the highest for global tech CEOs. Born in Ghaziabad, Arora is a living example of how Indian leadership has penetrated Silicon Valley’s elite circle.

Net Worth: ₹1,000+ crore
Annual Compensation: ₹200–₹300 crore
The co-founder of SanDisk and current CEO of Micron, Sanjay Mehrotra’s expertise in memory technology transformed the global semiconductor landscape. His annual earnings far exceed the combined pay of most A-list actors in India.
Annual Salary: ₹130+ crore (CHF 13.3 million)
A Harvard-trained doctor of Indian origin, Vasant Narasimhan leads one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Under his guidance, Novartis has shifted toward innovative therapies and global healthcare access — proving that leadership in medicine can be just as glamorous as entertainment.
Annual Salary: ₹100+ crore
From being Unilever’s Global CHRO to leading one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, Leena Nair’s journey is inspirational. As Chanel’s first Indian CEO, she earns over ₹100 crore annually — redefining what it means to represent Indian excellence in Western fashion boardrooms.
Annual Compensation: ₹150–₹200 crore
Hyderabad-born Shantanu Narayen has led Adobe since 2007, transforming it into a creative and AI-driven tech powerhouse. His forward-looking vision in digital transformation has made Adobe indispensable in global marketing and design.

Annual Compensation: ₹100+ crore
A Stanford graduate and one of Google’s most trusted executives, Neal Mohan became YouTube’s CEO in 2023. Under his leadership, YouTube continues to dominate digital media, and his ₹100 crore+ annual earnings make him one of the highest-paid Indian-origin executives in tech.
Net Worth: ₹1,700+ crore (~$2 billion)
Raj Sardana’s journey from working in a cafeteria to running a global tech and staffing firm is extraordinary. His company, Innova Solutions, employs thousands across the world — and his success story is a testament to persistence and vision beyond borders.
Net Worth: ₹2,700+ crore (~$3.3 billion)
Annual Earnings: ₹200+ crore
A Stanford graduate and Silicon Valley veteran, Aneel Bhusri co-founded Workday, one of the leading HR and finance software firms globally. His visionary leadership has made him one of the wealthiest Indian-origin entrepreneurs in the U.S.
Annual Earnings: ₹250–₹300 crore
While not a CEO, Kohli earns more than many Bollywood stars through endorsements, global brand partnerships, and digital influence. His income, driven by social media and sports marketing, places him among India’s most valuable global figures — both in fame and fortune.
What unites these 15 individuals isn’t just their staggering income — it’s their vision, resilience, and ability to thrive in global ecosystems. From Silicon Valley to Geneva, from Wall Street to Paris, Indians are proving that success today is measured not by celebrity, but by impact, innovation, and intellect.

While Bollywood sells dreams, these global achievers build them — one innovation, one company, and one breakthrough at a time.