Success in the film industry is often measured by the latest box office numbers, but Ronnie Screwvala’s ₹13,314 crore empire was built on the foundation of repeated failure. Topping the 2025 Hurun India Rich List, Screwvala is now officially wealthier than Bollywood’s biggest acting superstars. However, his journey began with five consecutive flops, starting with his 1997 debut Dil Ke Jharoke Main. In a candid reflection on those early years, Screwvala reveals that he only kept going because he had "no escape route" and no backup plan. Born into a lower-middle-class family, he knew that persistence was his only currency.

The turning point came when Screwvala stopped trying to imitate the industry’s established "formulas" and instead embraced his status as an outsider. Under his leadership, UTV Motion Pictures began betting on original, script-driven ideas rather than just star power. This shift led to the simultaneous production of iconic films like Lakshya, Swades, and the eventual breakthrough hit Rang De Basanti. By prioritizing creative disruption over commercial safety, he transformed UTV into a major creative force before eventually moving on to launch RSVP Movies. Recognized by Time and Fortune as one of the world's most influential figures, Screwvala’s career serves as a masterclass in entrepreneurial conviction, proving that long-term vision can turn early disasters into a billion-dollar legacy.