When people think of the wealthiest Bollywood celebrities, names like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan often come to mind. However, there is one film producer who surpasses even the combined fortunes of all three Khans – Ronnie Screwvala. Known for producing blockbuster films like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Kedarnath, Ronnie Screwvala’s wealth and influence in the film industry are remarkable.
A Humble Beginning in Mumbai
Ronnie Screwvala was born and raised in Mumbai, where he completed his schooling and college education. His passion for theatre began during his school days, and he performed in several plays in the Bombay theatre scene, including classics like Othello and Death of a Salesman. However, his real journey in the media world began in 1990, when he founded his first television production house, UTV, with an initial investment of just Rs 37,000.
Over the years, UTV grew from a small television company into a massive media group, which also included UTV Motion Pictures, a film production studio that gave Bollywood some of its most iconic films.
Blockbusters Under UTV’s Banner
Under UTV’s banner, several hit films were produced, including Swades, Rang De Basanti, Barfi!, and Haider. These films not only made a mark at the box office but also garnered critical acclaim. In 2012, Ronnie made headlines when he sold UTV to Walt Disney for a whopping Rs 3,700 crores, marking one of the biggest deals in Indian entertainment.
RSVP Film Production: A New Beginning
After selling UTV, Ronnie Screwvala launched RSVP Film Production, a company that has continued his streak of producing quality films. Under RSVP, movies like Raat Akeli Hai, Sonchiraiya, The Sky is Pink, and the upcoming Sam Bahadur have been produced. Many of these films have found success both at the box office and with critics, establishing RSVP as a significant player in the industry.
Screwvala’s Wealth Compared to the Khans
According to the recent Hurun India Rich List, Ronnie Screwvala’s net worth stands at over Rs 13,000 crores, making him one of the richest figures in Bollywood. In comparison, Shahrukh Khan’s net worth is around Rs 7,300 crores, Salman Khan’s is estimated at Rs 2,900 crores, and Aamir Khan’s net worth is reported to be more than Rs 1,800 crores. Even if the net worth of all three Khans is combined, it still falls short of Ronnie’s wealth.
Beyond Films: The Swadesh Foundation
Before entering the entertainment industry, Ronnie dabbled in various ventures, including running a toothbrush manufacturing company named Laser and starting his own cable television company. Apart from his successful business ventures, Ronnie and his wife Zarina Mehta founded the Swadesh Foundation in 2004, an initiative aimed at helping underprivileged communities. Inspired by Shahrukh Khan’s film Swades, the foundation works on providing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to the needy.
Ronnie Screwvala’s journey from theatre to becoming one of the richest producers in Bollywood is a story of vision, hard work, and an unwavering passion for films.
