Ronnie Screwvala, a highly successful entrepreneur and film producer with a staggering net worth of Rs 12,800 crore, has joined the panel of sharks for Season 3 of Shark Tank India.
This latest season introduces six new sharks, including Ritesh Agarwal, Radhika Gupta, Varun Dua, Deepinder Goyal, Azhar Iqubal, and Ronnie Screwvala. They joined the existing panel that includes Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, Peyush Bansal, Amit Jain, and Aman Gupta.
This article explores Ronnie Screwvala’s remarkable business journey, emphasizing his significant contributions to the entertainment industry, his philanthropic endeavours, and his achievements as an entrepreneur.
Recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2009, Screwvala has transitioned from founding a toothbrush manufacturing company in the 1980s to leading successful ventures in education and film production, resulting in an empire valued at around Rs 12,800 crore.
Read on to delve into the ascent of Ronnie Screwvala in both the business and entertainment realms.
Ronnie Screwvala’s education
Born in Mumbai, Screwvala attended Sydenham College after completing his schooling at Cathedral and John Connon School. His early passion for theatre led him to actively participate in the Bombay theatre scene, taking on notable roles in professional plays, including Shakespeare’s Othello and Death of a Salesman.
Entrepreneurial Journey Kickoff:
In the early ’80s, Ronnie Screwvala began his entrepreneurial journey with Lazer Brushes, a toothbrush manufacturing venture. He then founded his cable television company, Network, in 1981, installing video machines in high-rise basements, such as Maker Towers in Cuffe Parade.
Entertainment Industry Triumphs:
After making significant strides, Screwvala established his TV production house, UTV, in 1990, with an initial investment of Rs 37,500. He transformed UTV into a media conglomerate, including the film production studio UTV Motion Pictures.
Notable films produced under his banner include Swades, Rang De Basanti, Haider, and Barfi. In 2012, Walt Disney acquired UTV for $454 million (approximately Rs 3,769 crore).
Following the sale, Ronnie Screwvala launched another film production brand, RSVP Movies, with notable works like The Sky Is Pink, Sonchiriya, Raat Akeli Hai, and Karwaan. He also serves as a key member of the Shark Tank India judging panel.
Diverse Entrepreneurial Ventures:
In 2015, Screwvala co-founded UpGrad, an Edtech company. In 2022, UpGrad acquired Harappa Education for Rs 300 crore, holding a valuation of $2.25 billion (approximately Rs 18,685 crore). Apart from UpGrad, Screwvala manages Unilazer Ventures, a private equity firm investing in various startups. In 2014, he collaborated with Supratik Sen to launch USports, focusing on Kabaddi, E-Sports, and Football.
Philanthropic Contributions:
Engaged in philanthropy, Ronnie Screwvala and his wife Zarina Mehta operate The Swades Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing livelihood opportunities and uplifting people from poverty. Inspired by the film Swades (2004), produced by Screwvala, the foundation addresses issues such as clean water, sanitation, and education for those in need.
