From Screen to Strategy: How Aashka Goradia Built ₹1,200 Crore Beauty Empire After Quitting TV
Former TV star Aashka Goradia transformed her career by co-founding Renee Cosmetics, now a ₹1,200 crore beauty empire. Discover how she built a thriving business post-acting.
NewsSutra
In a remarkable shift from primetime television fame to business brilliance, Aashka Goradia, once a beloved face on Indian TV, has transformed herself into one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in India’s booming beauty industry. Her beauty brand, Renee Cosmetics, co-founded in 2020, has now skyrocketed into a ₹1,200 crore enterprise, redefining not only her personal trajectory but also setting a new benchmark in celebrity-led startups.
As India witnesses a surge in homegrown beauty brands, the story of Aashka Goradia’s entrepreneurial pivot offers insight into how ambition, strategic vision, and authenticity can turn an idea into an empire.
From Soap Operas to Start-Up Strategy
Aashka Goradia was a household name thanks to her roles in popular TV serials like Kkusum, Laagi Tujhse Lagan, and Naagin. Over a career that spanned nearly two decades, she built a strong fan base and an enviable position in the entertainment industry. However, in 2019, at the peak of her career, Aashka made the bold decision to step away from the screen.
“I wanted to create something that reflected who I had become over the years,” Aashka shared in a recent interview with The Times of India. “Makeup had always empowered me. I knew I could channel that into something bigger.”
This sentiment became the cornerstone of Renee Cosmetics.
The Rise of Renee Cosmetics
Launched in 2020 alongside co-founders Ashutosh Valani and Priyank Shah (also known for co-founding Beardo), Renee began as a digital-first cosmetics brand. It focused on delivering bold, cruelty-free, high-performance products tailored for the modern Indian consumer. The brand quickly gained popularity through social media, influencer collaborations, and strategic product launches.
Renee’s breakout moment came with the launch of its “Fab 5-in-1 Lipstick”, which allowed users to carry five shades in one sleek case. The product became a viral hit, helping the brand carve a unique identity in a market dominated by legacy giants like Lakmé and Maybelline.
Today, Renee offers a wide range of makeup products—from eyeliners and lipsticks to highlighters and perfumes. Its commitment to innovation and inclusivity has helped it stand out in India’s ₹20,000 crore beauty and personal care market.
You can explore Renee's current range on their official website, where they continue to expand product lines seasonally.
Funding, Valuation, and Business Growth
In 2021, Renee raised ₹10 crore in a seed round led by Equanimity Ventures. By 2022, the brand had already hit a valuation of ₹100 crore. But it was in 2023–2024 that things truly exploded. With back-to-back funding rounds and retail expansion into Nykaa, Amazon, and over 650 offline stores, Renee reached a valuation of ₹1,200 crore by mid-2025.
The company’s ability to combine data-driven insights with cultural sensitivity gave it an edge. Aashka’s celebrity status opened doors, but it was her discipline, passion, and marketing intuition that sustained Renee’s momentum.
According to Inc42, the brand aims to cross ₹500 crore in revenue by early 2026, driven by direct-to-consumer (D2C) growth and global exports.
Aashka’s Role: More Than Just a Face
Unlike many celebrity-led ventures where stars simply lend their names, Aashka Goradia has been deeply involved in Renee’s growth. From product development to campaign ideation, she has brought her artistic eye and storytelling abilities into every aspect of the business.
“She’s not just the brand ambassador; she’s the brand builder,” said co-founder Ashutosh Valani during an interview with Business Today.
In particular, Aashka has leveraged her television background to lead powerful video campaigns and tutorials that speak directly to India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—where the next wave of beauty consumption is rapidly emerging.
Building A Brand With Purpose
One of Renee’s key selling points has been its alignment with contemporary values—clean beauty, cruelty-free testing, vegan formulations, and empowering messaging. Aashka often speaks about how beauty is not about changing oneself but about expressing identity confidently.
The brand also supports #BeautyWithBrains, an initiative to support women-led startups and create mentorship opportunities in the beauty space. “We want to be more than just a cosmetics brand—we want to be a movement,” Aashka stated during a session at the Global Wellness Conclave 2024.
Challenges Along the Way
Success wasn’t immediate or effortless. The early days of Renee were filled with operational struggles, supply chain issues, and the challenge of launching a new brand during a pandemic. Aashka had to face skepticism from both the entertainment industry, which questioned her shift, and from the business community, which underestimated her experience.
But Aashka’s resilience, combined with the strategic support of experienced co-founders, helped Renee overcome each obstacle. Her shift to entrepreneurship was not just career reinvention—it was a masterclass in brand-building, consumer psychology, and leadership.
India’s Beauty Boom—and Renee’s Place In It
India’s D2C beauty segment has seen exponential growth in recent years. With the rise of digitally native consumers, influencer-led purchases, and increasing demand for clean, inclusive products, brands like Renee are not only thriving but setting trends for the global market.
According to a RedSeer report, India’s beauty and personal care market is projected to touch ₹2.3 lakh crore by 2025, with online channels contributing over 35% of sales.
Renee is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend. It already has international ambitions and has recently expanded into the UAE and Southeast Asia.
What’s Next for Aashka Goradia?
While Renee is her primary focus, Aashka is not stopping at cosmetics. Industry insiders suggest that she’s exploring a skincare and wellness extension under a new sub-brand. Rumors of an upcoming book and a Netflix documentary have also begun circulating, as fans and aspiring entrepreneurs seek to learn more about her journey.
In her own words: “I want to inspire women to believe that reinvention is possible at any age. You can walk away from everything you’ve known and still build something powerful, with purpose.”
Her journey from serial dramas to startup boardrooms offers not only a compelling narrative but a blueprint for anyone looking to transform passion into enterprise.
Final Thoughts: More Than Makeup
Aashka Goradia’s story is about more than makeup. It’s about self-belief, transformation, and staying relevant in a fast-changing world. Her ability to pivot from being a successful actress to co-founding one of India’s most exciting beauty brands shows the power of reinvention when matched with conviction and vision.
With Renee poised for IPO discussions by 2027, Aashka has cemented her legacy not only as a television star but also as a formidable force in India’s business landscape.
In an age of fast fame and fleeting trends, Aashka Goradia reminds us that real impact is built on persistence, passion, and the courage to start over.
