From Toothbrush Seller to Bollywood's Only Billionaire: Ronnie Screwvala Now Richer Than SRK, Salman & Aamir Combined
Date: 02-apr-2025
In a revelation that’s taken the entertainment industry by surprise, Ronnie Screwvala has been named the richest man in Bollywood, and the only billionaire in the industry, according to Forbes' 2025 Billionaires List. With a net worth of $1.5 billion, he has officially surpassed the combined wealth of India's biggest superstars – Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan.
Richer Than Bollywood’s Top Superstars
According to Forbes, SRK holds a net worth of $770 million, Salman Khan at $390 million, and Aamir Khan at $220 million. Together, their combined wealth ($1.38 billion) still falls short of Ronnie Screwvala’s staggering fortune. He also eclipses other industry moguls like Gulshan Kumar (~$900M) and Aditya Chopra (~$800M).
Humble Beginnings: From Toothbrushes to Television
Born in Bombay in 1956, Screwvala began his journey by selling toothbrushes in the late 70s. However, his big break came during the Asian Games of the early 80s, which introduced colour TV to Indian households. Spotting the opportunity, he pioneered cable TV networks across major Indian cities, laying the foundation for his empire.
Building UTV and Selling to Disney
In 1990, he founded UTV, a media and film production company that went on to create modern classics like Swades, Rang De Basanti, Jodhaa Akbar, and Barfi!. On the TV front, UTV brought shows like Shanti, Shararat, and Hip Hip Hurray to life. In 2012, he sold UTV to Disney in a billion-dollar deal and exited the company.
Return with RSVP & Rise in Startups
In 2017, Screwvala returned to the film industry with RSVP Movies, producing acclaimed titles such as Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kedarnath, The Sky is Pink, and Sam Bahadur. But movies aren’t his only money-maker.
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How Ronnie Screwvala Built His Fortune
Beyond Bollywood, Screwvala is also a serial entrepreneur and investor. He founded ed-tech unicorn UpGrad, sports management company USports, and venture fund Unilazer Ventures. His ability to scale businesses across entertainment, education, and sports has been key to building his $1.5 billion empire.
Shark Tank & Legacy
In 2024, Ronnie entered the mainstream spotlight by appearing as a shark on Shark Tank India, further cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in the Indian startup and media landscape.
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