How Rhea Chakraborty Quit Bollywood to Build a ₹40-Crore Business in Just One Year

Rhea Chakraborty, after spending years in Bollywood, has now emerged as one of the most closely watched new entrepreneurs in the fashion space. Following a long legal struggle and intense media scrutiny linked to the 2020 death of Sushant Singh Rajput—her rumoured partner—Rhea’s acting career became increasingly difficult to sustain. The public backlash and prolonged investigation significantly impacted her professional opportunities, eventually pushing her to walk away from films.

Instead of stepping back from the spotlight, Rhea channelled her energy into building a new identity. In 2024, she launched her clothing brand Chapter 2 Drip, symbolising a “second chapter” after a period marked by darkness and criticism. Within just one year, the company has soared to an estimated valuation of ₹40 crore, marking one of the most impressive celebrity-led startup journeys in recent times.

How the Business Began

Speaking with CNBC-TV18, Rhea opened up about how her arrest and involvement in the Rajput case left her devastated but determined to rebuild her life independently. She chose to focus on the middle-class fashion market—an audience she felt was both aspirational and underserved.

Chapter 2 Drip began as an online-only brand in August 2024, before expanding into offline retail. In June 2025, Rhea inaugurated the brand’s first physical store in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra neighbourhood. Despite premium rental expenses, her brother and business partner, Shouvik, supported the leap.

The startup also received ₹1 crore in seed funding from retail veterans Kishore and Aashni Biyani, further boosting its early momentum. By mid-2025, the brand’s valuation crossed the ₹40-crore mark—an exceptional milestone within such a short span.

Smart Marketing & Growth Strategy

Rhea strategically uses her podcast to introduce the brand, build trust, and communicate directly with future investors. Her approach—combining authenticity, transparency, and storytelling—has helped attract both attention and capital.

The brand’s pricing is positioned for middle-class consumers while retaining a premium aesthetic. Key products include:

• Denim: ₹5,500
• White T-shirt: ₹2,290
• Anti-Everything Club Vest: ₹1,790
• Co-ord sets: Starting at ₹7,990

Her pitch is simple: consistent growth builds investor confidence organically.

What’s Next for Rhea?

Although Rhea has publicly stated that she has moved on from acting, she admitted on a recent podcast that she might consider returning to films if the right script appears. For now, her primary focus remains expanding Chapter 2 Drip, which continues to gain traction in India’s booming fashion retail sector.

Rhea Chakraborty’s journey—from controversy to entrepreneurship—stands as a powerful example of reinvention and resilience. With Chapter 2 Drip growing rapidly, she is steadily establishing herself as a credible name in India’s startup ecosystem.