Forbes has officially named Ronnie Screwvala as the richest figure in Hindi cinema, with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion. This milestone not only cements Screwvala’s dominance in the business of entertainment but also places him financially above long-reigning industry titans Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan.
While Bollywood has long been synonymous with glamorous movie stars, Screwvala’s ascent to the top is a testament to the power of strategic investment, cross-industry ventures, and digital disruption. The development marks a dramatic shift in the Indian entertainment hierarchy—where content creators and business moguls are now taking center stage alongside traditional actors.
Ronnie Screwvala is not your typical Bollywood billionaire. Unlike actors whose wealth is directly tied to box-office returns and endorsements, Screwvala’s fortune stems from a diversified portfolio that spans film production, broadcasting, sports, digital media, education, and philanthropy.
He first rose to prominence as the founder of UTV Group, which transformed into one of India’s biggest media conglomerates before being sold to The Walt Disney Company for a reported $1.4 billion in 2012. This landmark deal made Screwvala one of the first Indian media entrepreneurs to strike a billion-dollar exit.
Since then, he has gone on to establish RSVP Movies, producing critically acclaimed films like Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kedarnath, and Sonchiriya, while also investing in streaming platforms and storytelling formats suited to the new-age digital audience.
What makes this development even more sensational is that Screwvala’s net worth now exceeds that of Bollywood’s “Three Khans” — Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan — who have dominated the Indian film industry for over three decades.
Shah Rukh Khan, often called the “King of Bollywood,” has an estimated net worth of around $770 million, accrued through blockbuster films, his Red Chillies Entertainment company, and global endorsements.
Salman Khan, with a net worth nearing $350 million, draws income from acting, production, television shows like Bigg Boss, and his clothing line Being Human.
Aamir Khan, known for his perfectionism, maintains a relatively lean portfolio but commands significant earnings from fewer, high-grossing films and brand deals.
Screwvala, however, has outpaced them all by stepping beyond the Bollywood bubble and embracing entrepreneurship in adjacent sectors.
Apart from cinema, Screwvala is co-founder of UpGrad, a leading ed-tech company offering online professional courses. UpGrad’s valuation has soared past $2.5 billion, and Screwvala holds a significant stake. He is also a key figure in the sports arena, having previously owned stakes in teams like Mumbai Tigers (football) and U Mumba (Kabaddi).
Additionally, his non-profit foundation, Swades, focuses on rural development, women empowerment, and education—adding a socially responsible dimension to his business success.
Social media erupted following Forbes’ announcement, with fans and critics reacting to Screwvala’s stealthy financial triumph. Some netizens applauded his intellect and humility, while others questioned why India’s most beloved film icons had been out-earned by a behind-the-scenes figure.
An insider from Red Chillies told Daily Post, “This shows the future of Indian cinema is not just about superstardom but about smart storytelling and business scalability.”