From Bollywood to Business: Rhea Chakraborty Turns Entrepreneur with Clothing Brand Valued at ₹40 Crore

Rhea Chakraborty has reinvented herself, leaving behind her acting career to carve a new path as an entrepreneur. After enduring one of the most challenging phases of her life following the tragic demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, Rhea has now emerged as the owner of a clothing brand valued at nearly ₹40 crore. She recently shared her journey of resilience and determination that led to this remarkable transformation.

A New Beginning Amid Adversity

Following her turbulent experiences post-2020, Rhea, along with her brother Showik, faced immense public scrutiny and professional setbacks. Both their careers had taken a hit, leaving them searching for a fresh start. Inspired by stories of people who turned their toughest times into opportunities, Rhea launched her podcast, Chapter 2, which became the stepping stone for her entrepreneurial venture.

It was during these conversations on the podcast that the idea for their clothing brand, Chapter 2 Drip, was born—a venture aimed at giving them a second chance and redefining their careers.

Turning Vision into a ₹40 Crore Brand

Rhea’s clothing brand, launched online in August 2024, recently opened its first offline store in Bandra, Mumbai, overcoming the challenge of high rental costs and operational overheads. “I was hesitant to open a store initially because of the overheads, but Showik found a suitable location and convinced me. We wanted a headquarters for our community, and this became the perfect opportunity,” Rhea explained.

The brand also secured ₹1 crore in seed funding from retail investors Kishore and Ashni Biyani, pushing its valuation to nearly ₹40 crore. Rhea highlighted the importance of revenue and profitability in attracting investors: “I didn’t offer free equity. We gave them equity because we were confident in our numbers. Our brand was generating revenue and profitable, which made investors trust us.”

Overcoming Personal and Professional Setbacks

Reflecting on her journey, Rhea shared that her brother Showik, who had scored 96% in the CAT exam and was set for admission into a top MBA college, had his plans disrupted due to legal troubles. Similarly, Rhea’s own acting opportunities dwindled, prompting her to reimagine her career entirely.

Today, Rhea Chakraborty stands as a symbol of resilience, transforming personal adversity into entrepreneurial success. With Chapter 2 Drip, she continues to inspire others to pursue second chances and redefine their paths, proving that determination and innovation can overcome even the harshest challenges.