Not Shah Rukh Khan, Bhushan Kumar : Meet the only billionaire in Bollywood who once sold toothbrushes before building an empire… he is…
In the glittering world of Bollywood, where stardom equals wealth, celebrities and public figures earn hefty amounts through brand endorsements, event appearances, and social media influence. Their flamboyant and luxurious lifestyles reflect the whopping amounts they earn, and the industry is thriving as a result. For instance, in 2023 alone, Hindi films earned a staggering ₹13161 crores worldwide, including $600 million overseas but what is surprising is that even after this enormous earning, there is only one person who seldom has become a dollar billionaire.
What is even more surprising is that this person is not your mainstream Bollywood superstar, but he is a Film producer- Ronnie Screwvala. Topping the name on the rich list, Ronnie didn’t achieve the first position in the list through his acting or direction but instead through his business. Starting a career in toothbrush manufacturing in the 1970s, he eventually ventured into cable TV space in the early 1980s when cable TV was at boom in India. But, his biggest breakthrough came in 1990 when he invested ₹37,000 to launch UTV. Starting with TV shows, UTV went on to produce blockbuster films like Fashion, Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, and Barfi.
In 2012, Screwala cracked the biggest deal in Indian entertainment history, he sold his shares of UTV to Disney for a whopping $1 billion. He later launched RSVP Movies which has been behind-producing some super hit movies like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Kedarnath.
But besides this Ronnie also has other sources of income, he has made sizable investments in companies such as pGrad, Usports, and Unliazer, which contribute to his massive wealth. Screwvala was also a judge on Shark Tank Season 3.
According to Forbes, his net worth stands at $1.55 billion (approximately ₹13,000 crore), making him the wealthiest person associated with Bollywood. Ronnie Screwala tops the list, leaving Bhushan Kumar, Aditya Chopra, and Shahrukh Khan behind. T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar, with a family net worth of around $1.2 billion, is followed by Aditya Chopra and Shahrukh Khan, with a reported net worth of over $850 million. Actress Juhi Chawla is the richest Indian female actor, with an estimated net worth of $550 million.
From toothbrushes to billion-dollar deals, Ronnie Screwvala’s journey is proof that vision, risk, and reinvention can outshine even the brightest spotlights. In an industry dominated by actors, he carved his space behind the scenes—and emerged as Bollywood’s only billionaire.
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