Bollywood is abuzz with the latest Hurun India Rich List, which has named Shah Rukh Khan as the first Indian actor to achieve billionaire status with a net worth of $1.4 billion. While this makes him one of the richest actors globally, he’s not the wealthiest person in Bollywood. That title belongs to a man who has never graced the silver screen as an actor or director – Ronnie Screwvala.
According to both the Hurun India Rich List 2025 and Forbes, Ronnie Screwvala, a prominent producer and entrepreneur, holds the top spot with a reported net worth of $1.5 billion (approximately ₹13,300 crore). This figure significantly surpasses Shah Rukh Khan’s estimated ₹12,500 crore. Other notable figures like Karan Johar (₹1880 crore) and the Bachchan family (₹1630 crore) also trail behind Screwvala. Filmmakers Bhushan Kumar and Aditya Chopra, despite their commercial success, are not even mentioned in the Hurun Rich List for 2025.
A Pioneer’s Journey
Ronnie Screwvala’s career began in the 1980s, not in entertainment, but in manufacturing toothbrushes. He later became a pioneer of India’s cable television revolution by establishing his own network. In 1990, he founded UTV, which evolved from a TV studio into a major film production house. Screwvala has been instrumental in producing critically acclaimed films such as ‘Lakshya,’ ‘Swades,’ ‘Rang De Basanti,’ ‘Jodhaa Akbar,’ and ‘Fashion.’ In 2012, Disney acquired UTV in a lucrative deal. Screwvala’s entrepreneurial spirit continued as he founded RSVP Movies, producing hits like ‘Kedarnath,’ ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike,’ and ‘Sam Bahadur.’ His considerable wealth also stems from diverse business investments, notably in ed-tech company upGrad and Unilazer.
The Hurun India Rich List Overview
The Hurun Institute’s annual rich list highlights India’s wealthiest individuals across various sectors. While Shah Rukh Khan retains his title as the richest celebrity, his net worth saw a significant jump to $1.4 billion. However, the absence of stars like Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Alia Bhatt from the list indicates a shift in wealth metrics or perhaps a focus on business acumen beyond acting.