Ronnie Screwvala

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Producer, Author

Indian Bombay, Maharashtra (now Mumbai)

Quick Info

ProfessionEntrepreneur, Philanthropist, Producer, Author
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth08/09/1956
Age69 years
BirthplaceBombay, Maharashtra (now Mumbai)

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Bio/Wiki

Full nameRohinton Soli Screwvala
Nickname(s)Ronnie Screwvala
Famous forPioneering Cable TV in India, Founder of UTV Software Communications, Co-founder of upGrad

Physical Stats & More

Height180 cm
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolCathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai
College/UniversitySydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai
Educational QualificationB.Comm

Personal Life

AddressBreach Candy, South Mumbai, Maharashtra
Religion/Religious ViewsZoroastrianism
CasteParsee
Hobbies
  • Reading
  • Watching Movies
  • Storytelling
ControversyControversial Tweet on Multiplexes

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Family
First Wife
NameManjula Nanavati
Relationshipdivorced
DaughterTrishya Screwvala
Second Wife
NameZarina Mehta
Roleco-founder of UTV and co-trustee of The Swades Foundation
Parents
FatherSoli Screwvala
MotherName
Other Relatives
Suhail Chandhokson-in-law; actor, TV presenter, and commentator

Career

Awards & Achievements
  • Named on Esquire’s List of the 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century
  • Ranked 78 among the 100 most influential people in the world on the Time 100 (compiled by Time Magazine, 2009)
  • Listed amongst 25 Asia’s Most Powerful by Fortune Magazine
  • Titled the Jack Warner of India by Newsweek
  • Nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Non-English Film – Rang De Basanti
  • Won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at National Film Awards (2007) for Rang De Basanti
  • Won Best Film by Filmfare Awards (2007) and IIFA Awards (2007) for Rang De Basanti
  • Won Best Film by Filmfare Awards (2009) and IIFA Awards (2009) for Jodha Akbar
  • Won Best Film by Filmfare Awards (2013) and IIFA Awards (2013) for Barfi!
Major Ventures
  • Network (Cable TV company, 1981)
  • Laser (Toothbrush manufacturing company, late 1980s)
  • Tele-Shopping Network (TSN, home shopping platform)
  • UTV Software Communications (1990-2012, divested to Disney for US$1.4 billion)
  • upGrad (Co-founder, online education platform)
  • U Sports (Sports company spanning football, e-sports, and kabaddi)
  • RSVP Movies (Creative content company for movies and digital content)
  • Unilazer Ventures (Private equity investment company)
  • The Swades Foundation (Non-profit, co-founded with wife Zarina)

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. An Indian businessman and TV & film producer, he is the founder of UTV.
2. After graduating, he initiated a theatre company.
3. He introduced home shopping in India through Tele-Shopping Network (TSN).
4. He is the founder of United Studios, UTV group, and Unilazer Ventures.
5. He established the NGO Swades Foundation to create livelihood opportunities in India.
6. He founded the Indian film production company RSVP Movies.
7. Known for authoring several books and articles.
8. He co-founded the e-sports company 'U Sports' and online education platform upGrad.
9. An enthusiastic animal lover, he has pet dogs named Sprite and Skye.
10. Founded a toothbrush manufacturing company called Laser in the late 1980s.
11. Divested UTV to Disney in 2012 for an enterprise value of US$1.4 billion.
12. Launched a personal $50 million fund to invest in early-stage AI, deeptech, and space-tech startups.
13. Served as Managing Director of Disney in India after divesting UTV.
14. Pioneered cable television in India in 1981 when the country had only one terrestrial channel (Doordarshan).
15. UTV went public and listed on stock exchanges in 2005.
16. The Swades Foundation aims to empower one million people in rural India every 5-7 years through a 360-degree model spanning water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihood.
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