Noah Johnson 
Dec 20, 2023
The highly anticipated third season of Shark Tank India is in the works, building upon the triumphs of its earlier instalments. The creators of the show have unveiled an exciting update, disclosing a significant addition to the judging panel for the forthcoming season, therefore presenting a great opportunity for startups.
The latest judge to join the roster is none other than Ronnie Screwvala, a billionaire entrepreneur and acclaimed film producer.
Known for his instrumental roles in establishing UpGrad, RSVP Movies, and his tenure as the former head of UTV Motion Pictures, Screwvala brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Hailing from a Parsi family in Mumbai, he received his education at the Cathedral and John Connon School, followed by Sydenham College.
Netizens are excited to welcome the new judge. Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal called him a "sweet" shark whereas another user said he was the "biggest shark of all".
Currently boasting a net worth exceeding Rs 120 billion, as reported by DNA, Screwvala embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in the 1970s by starting as a toothbrush manufacturer. His diversification into the cable TV business in 1981 marked a pivotal moment.
However, the true turning point came in 1990 when he founded UTV, initially gaining prominence in television production before venturing into films. His career reached a milestone in 2012 with the sale of his UTV stakes to Disney for over a billion dollars. Continuing his strides in the entertainment industry, he launched RSVP Movies in 2014 and UpGrad in 2015, a collaborative effort with three IIT graduates — Mayank Kumar, Phalgun Kompalli, and Ravijot Chugh.
Renowned for his contributions as a creative film producer, Screwvala's repertoire includes blockbuster movies such as Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, Fashion, Uri, and Kedarnath, among others. His exceptional work earned him a National Award for Rang De Basanti and three Filmfare Awards across various projects.
Amidst the OG panelists Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Peyush Bansal, Ronnie Screwvala will join newly introduced judges like Amit Jain, Ritesh Agarwal, Deepinder Goyal, Azhar Iqubal, Radhika Gupta, and Varun Dua.
Shark Tank India Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in January 2024. With fresh sharks joining, the latest season will surely be an exciting opportunity for startups.
