- From UTV Motion Pictures to upGrad: Ronnie Screwvala’s Entrepreneurial Journey
The Begining
UTV Motion Pictures, a prominent player in the Indian film industry, has left an indelible mark on Bollywood and beyond. Let’s explore the journey of this influential production house from its inception to its current status.
In This Article
Ronnie Screwvala and Zarina Screwvala founded UTV Motion Pictures in 1996 as the film distribution division of UTV Software Communications. The company’s roots can be traced back to 1990, when Ronnie Screwvala launched a small production house that initially focused on advertisements and corporate films.
Under Screwvala’s leadership, UTV quickly expanded its operations, venturing into various aspects of media and entertainment:
- Television shows and inflight programming
- Animation and dubbing
- Television channel creation
- Movie distribution and production
- Video game development
This rapid diversification reflected Screwvala’s ambitious vision for the company and his ability to identify emerging opportunities in the media landscape.
UTV Motion Pictures established itself as one of the leading film studios in India and one of the largest production studios in South Asia.
UTV also expanded its presence internationally, partnering with major Hollywood studios like 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, and Sony Pictures.
Ownership and Acquisitions
UTV Motion Pictures underwent significant ownership changes over the years:
- In the late 2000s, The Walt Disney Company acquired a considerable share of UTV.
- In 2012, Disney completed the acquisition of UTV Software Communications, making UTV Motion Pictures a wholly-owned subsidiary.
- Following the acquisition, the company was briefly known as Disney UTV from 2012 to 2013
After Disney’s acquisition, UTV Motion Pictures became the exclusive distributor for all Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures releases in South Asian territories from 2013 onward. The acquisition significantly expanded Disney’s footprint in India, allowing them to build, monetize, and brand multi-platform franchises more effectively.
After the acquisition, UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala was named Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company India.
Despite the acquisition, Disney struggled to make a big impact in Bollywood. There were challenges in understanding India’s film industry and structuring deals effectively. Even on blockbuster successes like Chennai Express and PK, Disney reportedly did not make money due to poorly structured deals that often favored producers.
In July 2017, Disney shut down UTV Motion Pictures shortly after the release of the film Jagga Jasoos. Disney planned to focus on its Hollywood film distribution, television, licensing, and merchandising businesses in India.
Critical Successes and Notable Productions
UTV Motion Pictures has been behind numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films:
- Rang De Basanti (2006)
- Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
- Dev.D (2009)
- Udaan (2010)
- PK (2014)
The company’s production of “PK” is particularly noteworthy. The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film, which starred Aamir Khan, was a huge commercial success and one of the highest-grossing Indian movies of all time.
Legacy and Impact
UTV Motion Pictures played a crucial role in professionalizing the Indian film industry. Screwvala introduced written contracts and brought a more structured approach to filmmaking, which was uncommon in Bollywood at the time. The company’s success paved the way for more corporate involvement in the Indian film industry.
While UTV Motion Pictures is no longer active, the Indian animation industry, which the company had invested in, continues to thrive. The animation market in India was valued at USD 460.11 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 37.03%. The factors driving this growth are:
- Increasing demand for animated content across various sectors
- The rise of streaming platforms
- A skilled workforce of animators and technicians
- Cost-effective production capabilities
As the Indian animation industry continues to expand, it carries forward the legacy of innovation and quality that companies like UTV Motion Pictures helped establish.
The Journey to upGrad
Screwvala co-founded upGrad in 2015, even before the complete shutdown of UTV Motion Pictures. After Disney shut down UTV Motion Pictures in 2017, Ronnie Screwvala embarked on a new venture in the education sector. upGrad was founded with the vision of providing high-quality, industry-relevant education to learners across the globe.
upGrad offers a wide range of online courses in collaboration with leading universities and industry experts, covering areas such as data science, technology, management, and more. Screwvala positioned upGrad as neither a startup nor an edtech company. He emphasized that upGrad is focused on building something valuable over the long term rather than chasing short-term gains.
In 2021, upGrad entered the unicorn club with a valuation of over $1 billion. By 2022, it was valued at approximately $2.25 billion. upGrad has expanded its presence globally, with a learner base of over 3 million across 100+ countries and partnerships with over 300 universities.
Screwvala’s transition from media and entertainment to education demonstrates his ability to identify emerging opportunities and build successful ventures in diverse sectors. His experience in scaling UTV has likely been invaluable in growing upGrad into a major player in the online education space.
