Latest news with #Screwvala
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Indian Express
Beyond the Stare: Gen Z is embracing philosophy and making authentic choices, says Trishya Screwvala
Even as Gen Z finds itself under constant scrutiny for its choices — and more recently, even for its stare (a now-viral TikTok trend) — a school of philosophy in Mumbai observes that this generation, born between 1997 and 2012, is making more authentic choices than its predecessors. 'Younger generations today seem to be looking to make more 'authentic' choices over conventional milestones, whether professionally or personally,' said Trishya Screwvala, instructor and head of public relations at New Acropolis India's Mumbai branch. 'They're often seeking a deeper inner compass to guide their actions.' New Acropolis, a school of practical philosophy with centres in over 50 countries, has been present in Mumbai for more than 18 years. Last month, it opened a larger centre in Ballard Estate. Once considered a pursuit for retirement, philosophy is now being embraced earlier in life, driven by the need for inner stability amid uncertainty, constant options, and digital overstimulation. 'Younger people are seeking clear, practical answers to questions about life, happiness, and purpose,' Screwvala added. 'At the same time, they bring a healthy appetite for questioning and prefer finding their own answers over following any prescribed path.' At New Acropolis, nearly 40 percent of regular public attendees are Gen Z—those aged 28 and under. While the growing interest might seem new, Screwvala stressed that the philosophical approach to life has deep roots in Indian tradition, and points to a visible increase in enrolments across their Mumbai courses and rising footfall at public events. The community is diverse, she added—ranging from 20-somethings seeking tools to build a meaningful life to professionals from across fields including law, finance, design, architecture, and the arts, all looking to navigate their multiple roles through a philosophical lens. Among the most common motivations for joining are 'a search for meaning in one's life, a desire to understand oneself better, improve relationships, make sense of today's world, and cultivate inner strength in a rapidly changing environment'. Asked whether philosophy is becoming more mainstream in India's education and work culture, the school says yes. 'In our time where information is abundant but wisdom feels elusive, philosophy has never been more relevant,' said Sivan Barzilay, branch manager of New Acropolis Mumbai. 'It's not just for the classroom, nor only for youth in their formative years. Philosophy is lifelong education—it helps us live well, face challenges, and even approach the end of life with dignity.'
India.com
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Bollywood's richest man, once sold toothbrushes, now has Rs 12800 crore net worth, richer than Shah Rukh, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan combined
Meet Bollywood's richest man, once sold toothbrushes, now has Rs 12800 crore net worth, richer than Shah Rukh, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan combined In a world where it is often believed that fame and wealth go hand in hand, there is one man who has built a billion-dollar empire, staying away from the world of the limelight. Richest Man of Indian Cinema Much to everyone's surprise, this person is not an actor, yet he is a well-known name in the film industry. The person that we are talking about is none other than Ronnie Screwvala. As per the Forbes 2025 list, this man has a staggering net worth of $1.5 billion. Screwvala has surpassed the wealth of Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir combined, making him the richest man of Indian Cinema. From Manufacturing Toothbrushes to Building an Empire Born on September 8, 1956, Screwvala started his career that was far away from the world of the limelight. Roonie Screwvala started his career setting up a toothbrush manufacturing company. However, later in the year 1981, he pioneered cable TV in India. In 1990, Ronnie launched UTV and redefined Indian media with his new venture. UTV entailed a movie studio, a game studio, and a creative content company, and went public by listing on the stock exchanges in 2005. Later in the year 2012, Ronnie sold UTV to Disney at a value of US$1.4 billion. He has made over 80 films. Some of his cult classics are Swades, Rang De Basanti, Barfi, Jodhaa Akbar, and Khosla Ka Ghosla were all made under his banner. Besides this, he also gave the 90s kid some unforgettable shows like Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Khichdi, and Shararat Besides, he also owns RSVP and has delivered gems like Uri, The Sky is Pink, and Sam Bahadur. In 2024, he also appeared as Shark in Shark Tank India But Screwvala's portfolio wasn't just limited to media. He has also co-founded UpGrad and even launched a sports brand, U Sports.
Mint
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Meet Bollywood's only billionaire with net worth of $1.5 billion who is richer than Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir Khan
Bollywood may be ruled by superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and other big names. However, when it comes to wealth, one name towers above them all—and surprisingly, it's not even an actor. With a staggering net worth of $1.5 billion, this powerhouse of the Hindi film industry has quietly outpaced iconic figures like Amitabh Bachchan, Gulshan Kumar, Aditya Chopra, and more. According to the 2025 edition of the Forbes Billionaire List, Ronnie Screwvala is not only the richest man in Bollywood but also the only billionaire from the industry. The list featured 3,028 dollar billionaires worldwide, including 205 from India. Among them, Ronnie was the sole name from Bollywood to earn a spot on the prestigious list. With an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, Screwvala has surpassed the industry's biggest stars. He beats even the richest actor Shah Rukh Khan (net worth: $770 million), as well as Salman Khan ($390 million) and Aamir Khan ($220 million). In fact, the combined net worth of all three Khans still falls short of Ronnie's fortune. He has also edged out other high-profile industry moguls like Gulshan Kumar (around $900 million) and Aditya Chopra ($800 million), making him wealthier than some of the most influential film families in India. But Ronnie Screwvala's road to success was far from easy. Long before the billion-dollar deals, he used to sell toothbrushes. Born in Bombay in 1956, Screwvala began his entrepreneurial journey in the late 1970s with a modest toothbrush manufacturing business. Everything changed in the early 1980s when colour televisions entered Indian homes during the Asian Games. Seeing a golden opportunity, he became one of the early pioneers of cable television in India's metro cities, which marked his first step into the media and entertainment world. In 1990, he founded UTV, which would go on to become one of India's most influential entertainment companies. Under UTV Motion Pictures, he produced several pathbreaking and successful films such as Swades, Rang De Basanti, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Jodhaa Akbar, Fashion, Delhi Belly, and Barfi!. Beyond films, he also left a lasting mark on Indian television with popular shows like Shanti, Hip Hip Hurray, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Khichdi, and Shararat—all of which continue to hold nostalgic value for '90s kids. In 2012, Screwvala sold UTV to Disney in a landmark billion-dollar deal and stepped away from the company. After a brief hiatus, he returned in 2017 with RSVP Movies, reigniting his creative journey. Since then, he has backed critically acclaimed films like Kedarnath (starring Sushant Singh Rajput), Uri: The Surgical Strike (Vicky Kaushal), The Sky Is Pink (Priyanka Chopra), and Sam Bahadur (Vicky Kaushal). In 2024, Screwvala made his on-screen debut as one of the sharks on Shark Tank India, sharing his entrepreneurial wisdom with the next generation of innovators. But his empire isn't built on cinema alone. At 68, Ronnie is also a seasoned investor and entrepreneur. He has founded and invested in several successful ventures including ed-tech platform UpGrad, investment firm Unilazer Ventures, and sports enterprise USports. On the work front, his most recent release was Azaad, starring Ajay Devgn and Diana Penty. The film also marked the debut of Ajay's nephew Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani, daughter of Raveena Tandon.
