YouTuber Dhruv Rathee sparks a massive debate, using Shah Rukh Khan’s colossal net worth to critique his endorsement choices. The video challenges the ‘Jawan’ star’s need for “extra ₹100-200 Crore” to promote a product linked to health risks.
October 16, 2025: In a widely discussed video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, popular YouTuber and social media influencer Dhruv Rathee publicly questioned Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on his continued endorsement of a paan masala brand, citing the actor’s recently reported staggering net worth.
According to the latest industry reports, Shah Rukh Khan has achieved the status of the world’s richest actor, with an estimated net worth of approximately $1.4 billion (around ₹12,400 crore).
Rathee’s video used this massive wealth figure as the central point for his moral critique.
The Question of Necessity
In the video, Rathee highlighted the sheer magnitude of Khan’s fortune, stating, “Shah Rukh Khan is now a billionaire. According to news reports, his net worth has reached $1.4 billion. Do you know how much money that is? It’s hard to even imagine.”
The influencer then detailed the luxurious lifestyle Khan could sustain merely on the passive income generated from this wealth, suggesting that even after funding private jets, property, and holidays, the actor would still have a substantial amount remaining.
The core of Rathee’s argument came in a pointed question directed at the Jawan star: “Mera Shah Rukh Khan se sawaal yeh hai, kya itne paise kaafi nahi hai kya? Agar kaafi hai toh kya majburi padi ke paan masala jaisi haani kaarak chiz ko aap abhi bhi promote kar rahe ho?” (My question to Shah Rukh Khan is, isn’t that much money enough? If it is enough, then what compulsion is there that you are still promoting something as harmful as paan masala?)
Impact on Society
Rathee further pressed the issue of the reported endorsement fee, suggesting that even if the actor is now charging an estimated ₹100-200 crore—a significant jump from earlier reports—he still questioned the need for this “extra” income given Khan’s financial standing.
He concluded by stressing the immense public health impact a top star’s decision could have: “Aur dusri taraf sochkar dekho, desh ka top actor agar yeh haani kaarak chize promote karna bandh kar dega, toh kya impact padega iska desh par?” (And think about it another way: if the country’s top actor stops promoting these harmful products, what impact will it have on the country?)
The video, which has been widely shared across social media platforms, calls on followers who agree with the sentiment to share the video in the hopes of it reaching the superstar. As of now, Shah Rukh Khan has not issued a public response to the video.