Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah, founded by Alakh Panday, has made headlines in the Hurun India Rich List 2025 with a remarkable 223% surge in his wealth to Rs 14,510 crore. This sharp rise places Pandey ahead of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose net worth rose to Rs 12,490 crores ($1.4 billion) this year.
According to Hurun, PhysicsWallah’s co-founder Prateek Maheshwari registered the same percentage growth, reflecting the company’s robust valuation trajectory. Despite the edtech firm narrowing its net loss to Rs 243 crore in FY25 (down from Rs 1,1131 crore recorded a year earlier, the firm’s revenue climbs to Rs 2,886 crore from Rs 1,940 crore, highlighting its growth momentum.
Shah Rukh Khan entry in the billionaire club
For the first time, Shah Rukh Khan has entered the billionaire ranks, recording a 71% growth in wealth in comparison to 2024. His rise is driven by the performance of Red Chilies Entertainment, co-owned by his wife Gauri Khan, which reported a net profit of Rs 85 crore in FY23. Additionally, SRK’s blockbuster Jawan, which was produced on a budget of Rs 300 crore, achieved a gross of Rs 640.25 crore at the Indian box office and Rs 1,160 crore worldwide, according to the Sacnilk data, further boosting his wealth.
All about PhysicsWallah’s IPO
Along with the fortune surge, PhysicWallah has also filed updated papers with SEBI for a Rs 3,820 crore IPO. It consists of a fresh issue of Rs 3,100 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) worth Rs 720 crore. Promoters Alakh Pandey and Prateek Boob will sell shares worth Rs 360 crores through the OFS, as reported by PTI.
Backed by investors like Hornbill, WestBridge Capital, and GSV Ventures, PhysicsWallah had earlier decided on a confidential pre-filing route and secured SEBI’s approval. Leading banks such as Kotak Mahindra Capital, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities, JP Morgan India, and Axis Capital have been appointed to manage the issue.
Pandey, who started teaching on YouTube in 2016 after dropping out of Harcourt Butler Technical University, has now become one of the country’s fastest-growing entrepreneurs.