Ronnie Screwvala - The Progress Catalyst

Chief Editor's Desk
Apr 26
4 min read

A visionary entrepreneur and storyteller

Rohinton Soli Screwvala, known professionally as Ronnie Screwvala, is an Indian entrepreneur, media pioneer, philanthropist, and author known for transforming India’s entertainment and education landscapes. As the founder of UTV Group and a catalyst for progress in Indian cinema, Ronnie Screwvala played a pivotal role in introducing organised, corporatised practices into Bollywood. His ventures extend beyond media into edtech, sports, and social impact, illustrating his belief in the power of entrepreneurship as a tool for national development. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of India's most influential business leaders is a remarkable story of innovation, perseverance, and vision.

Ronnie Screwvala-The Progress Catalyst (source: hbs.edu) — Ronnie Screwvala

Nationality: Indian

Date of Birth: 8 September 1956

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Spouse: Manjula Nanavati (divorced); Zarina Mehta

Education:

Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai
Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai

Employment History:

Founder, UTV Group
Co-founder, upGrad
Founder, Unilazer Ventures
Founder of the Swades Foundation
Author of "Dream with Your Eyes Open"

Impact Maker Ronnie Screwvala

Ronnie Screwvala is credited with revolutionising Indian media and entertainment through the founding of UTV Group in 1990. By introducing global standards in production, marketing, and distribution, he helped transition Bollywood into a more structured and internationally competitive industry. Under his leadership, UTV produced acclaimed films such as Rang De Basanti, Swades, and The Namesake, which showcased India’s growing creative confidence (weforum.org).

Beyond entertainment, Screwvala has been instrumental in shaping India’s digital education ecosystem. Through upGrad, he has democratised access to higher education and professional learning, equipping millions of students and professionals with critical future-ready skills. His belief that education is the foundation for sustainable development positions him as a powerful architect of progress in India's knowledge economy.

Change Maker Ronnie Screwvala

Ronnie Screwvala-The Progress Catalyst (source: zeenews.india.com)

Ronnie Screwvala’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by his ability to spot opportunities where others see challenges. From revolutionising Indian cable television to pioneering multiplex cinema experiences, he has consistently led change by embracing innovation.

Ronnie has consistently challenged conventions and led change across industries. He disrupted traditional content production with UTV, encouraged new business models in sports through his role in launching U Mumba (Pro Kabaddi League), and fostered digital-first learning with upGrad.

Through Unilazer Ventures, he has invested in promising start-ups across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and consumer goods, serving as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth in India. His focus on long-term impact rather than short-term profits sets him apart as a change maker who invests in sustainable success.

Through his philanthropic arm, the Swades Foundation, Screwvala focuses on rural empowerment, working with over half a million people in Maharashtra to provide access to education, healthcare, water, and livelihoods. By addressing the roots of poverty, he embodies the role of a change maker, blending business acumen with a deep commitment to social equity.

Progress Catalyst Ronnie Screwvala

Ronnie Screwvala’s continued ventures underscore his role as a catalyst for progress. At upGrad, he is leading efforts to expand digital learning beyond metros into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, bridging India's education divide. His investments in sports ventures such as U Mumba (kabaddi) and Mumbai Marines (hockey) reveal his ambition to diversify India’s sporting landscape and build sustainable sports ecosystems.

As a progress catalyst, Ronnie Screwvala is driving India’s next wave of economic and social transformation. Through the Swades Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Zarina, he works towards rural empowerment across water, health, education, and livelihood initiatives.

Screwvala’s writings, particularly Dream With Your Eyes Open and Skill It, Kill It, offer blueprints for aspiring entrepreneurs, reinforcing his belief that India's progress hinges on fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.

By applying entrepreneurial principles to philanthropy, he is creating scalable, measurable models of development that foster dignity and independence among rural communities. His multi-sectoral contributions—whether in cinema, education, sports, or social impact—demonstrate a commitment to building a resilient and progressive India.

Achievements

Ronnie Screwvala-The Progress Catalyst (source: en.wikipedia.org)

Founded UTV Group, later sold to The Walt Disney Company
Co-founded upGrad, one of India’s leading online higher education platforms
Launched Unilazer Ventures to support early-stage businesses
Established Swades Foundation, impacting rural livelihoods across Maharashtra
Produced critically acclaimed films like Swades, Rang De Basanti, and Barfi!
Author of best-selling books on entrepreneurship and leadership
Recognised by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world (2009)
Pioneered professional management practices in Indian cinema