20.
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| RONNIE SCREWVALA, 52, Media Baron |
All the Right Moves
Because he is now Disney’s point man in India
Because UTV’s presence now spans a world movies channel to a business news network, gaming to the Internet, and the group has emerged as a global business, with 200 of its
1,000 employees based overseas.
Because UTV has shown an unusual flourish in backing sensible cinema, from the edgy terror thriller A Wednesday to the cult youth film Dev D.
Acquisition A third gaming company and a dream home in Breach Candy that he and his wife worked on for five years.
Is reading Billion-Dollar Lessons by Paul B. Carroll and a lot of scripts.
19.
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| AMITABH BACHCHAN, 68, Actor |
I Am Legend
Because a chance remark from him on his blog about Slumdog Millionaire can set off a global controversy.
Because he is an easy target for marginal politicians like Raj Thackeray, looking to establish his political party.
Because after 40 years in the profession, he still remains at the top of the game, and is head of a family that includes an articulate Rajya Sabha MP, an actor who works with the best directors in the business, and another actor who is India’s best-known international beauty.
Because the family endorses as many as 10 brands combined and whatever he does sets off a trend, whether it is blogging or walking the red carpet to support his children, be it for Pink Panther 2 or Delhi-6.
Favourite pastime Posting blogs that he discusses at times with his family.
Embarrassing moment Walking away from Rekha at an awards show when it looked like she was going to kiss him next.
18.
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| HARISH SALVE, 54, Advocate |
The Argumentative Indian
Because everyone who is in trouble or who believes he could be in trouble wants him in their corner, whether it is arch-rivals Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati or longtime foes Lalit Modi and Subhash Chandra.
Because there is hardly any corporate case that he is not arguing and hardly any politician who hasn’t sought his advice.
Because he usually wins the cases he fights.
What excites him Taking on a former Pakistani minister in a television debate or arguing against OBC reservation in Central government educational institutions. When Salve talks, people usually listen.
Big acquisition A 7-series BMW, breaking his promise to himself that he would “behave”.
Nice guy move Every evening he helps his wife Meenakshi set up a stained-glass showroom by typing e-mails and suggesting marketing strategies. As he quips, “it’s from maximum wages to minimum in the evenings”.
17.
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| J.P. GAUR, 79, Industrialist |
Business As Unusual
Because the Jaypee Group’s ambitious Ganga Express-way project across 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh will benefit at least 20 million people.
Because it became India
Because with power, cement, infrastructure, hospitality, real estate and education, the Rs 5,500-crore Jaypee Associates has a foothold in 14 states and is the only group in the country that successfully completed two power projects in Jammu & Kashmir in the last decade—Dulhasti and Baglihar.
Because he has a great equation with the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The turning point The death of his elder brother in 1946 in an accident. Gaur says it
changed his life, making him a man of steel. He says he has not cried since.
Real estate watch A township developed by the Group at Patiali in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, over a 12-year period, at an investment of Rs 25,000 crore. Says it will be bigger than Chandigarh
16.
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| AAMIR KHAN, 45, Actor |
In His Own League
Because Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, which he produced, and Ghajini, which he starred in, were two of the biggest hits 2008, grossing over Rs 350 crore at the box office.
Because he is the Establishment’s first choice, be it endorsing the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India campaign or lecturing at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.
Because he is the face of six brands—his last deal with Tata Sky wrapped at Rs 14 crore a year.
Because he acquired the best body in Khandom and made the eight-pack part of public discourse.
Currently negotiating The purchase of a housing society in Santa Cruz
Big surprise That he hasn’t signed on anything after Raju Hirani’s forthcoming film 3 Idiots and has only a cameo as a painter in wife Kiran Rao’s experimental film Dhobi Ghat.
Idea of extravagance Gifting a 7-Series BMW to his nephew after the release of his movie and hiring a helicopter to make it to his wedding anniversary.
15.
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| RAGHAV BAHL, 50, Media Baron |
The Colors of Money
Because from measuring the heartbeat of the Bombay Stock Exchange, his network now increases the pulse rate of prime time viewers, with his new channel Colors within striking distance of the nine-year-long No. 1, Star Plus.
Because three of the biggest hits of last year, Singh is Kinng, Golmaal Returns and Ghajini, were owned or distributed by The Indian Film Company.
Because while his two business channels continue to dominate their spaces, he is expanding into new media, with Homeshopping18 a Rs 200-crore property in its second year, and in.com becoming the second largest Indian general interest portal within six months of its launch.
The big discovery That he likes watching soaps, especially of his own channel. “Balika
Vadhu for sure, and occasionally, Jaane Kya Baat Hui, Uttaran and Jeevan Saathi”.
Wish he could have Kept some extra cash to buy media assets which are currently available at such mouth-watering discounts.
14.
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| DEEPAK PAREKH, 65, Banker |
Because he is the go-to guy for government and business, whether it is Satyam or the troubled US-64.
Because in a year of edifices turning to dust, HDFC will close with an estimated growth of 19 per cent.
Because he brings credibility to whatever he does, whether it is putting the nuts and bolts of the new pension policy in place or advising the Government on providing affordable housing to the masses in the country.
Because the rumour is that he knows someone on a first name basis on the board of every Fortune 500 company.
Recession mantra Be cautious and conservative in such times. Don’t focus on market share, instead concentrate on the bottom line.
Road ahead Officially 2009 was his last year in office and July onwards he is busy planning his exit from the company.
Favourite getaways London and New York
13.
The Frugal Billionaire
 |
| AZIM HASHAM PREMJI, 65, Businessman |
Because he steers India
Because with a cash chest of $500 million, he is looking for acquisitions abroad and
plans to beef up his company’s position in France and Germany
Because in keeping with deep personal values of corporate governance, he approached the Madras High Court to stop the proposed reverse merger between Subhiksha and Blue Green Constructions and Investments, even though his investment firm, PremjiInvest, had bought a 10% stake in the retail chain from ICICI Ventures for around $150 million last year.
Management mantra When you over-pay people based on their results, it can generate very distorted behaviours.
Little known fact He fulfilled his teenage wish, 33 years on, by completing his electrical engineering at Stanford, in 1999.
12.
Made in Bharat
 |
| ANAND MAHINDRA, 53, Industrialist |
Because by launching the Xylo, a multi-utility vehicle, at the gloomiest point for the automobile industry, he has displayed entrepreneurial courage.
Because with market leadership in tractors, utility vehicles, farm equipment, a finance company that lends to rural households, an SEZ and a realty division, he is all set to bring Bharat back to India
Because his joint venture with BAE Systems sets him up to be one of the biggest
players in India
Because he is one of the most articulate Indian voices at various international fora, from Aspen
Is proud that Mahindra Realty is a debt-free company. And that one in two tractors in the country carries the Mahindra badge.
Little known fact The 155 mm howitzer, known to Indians as the Bofors gun, is now in the Mahindra-BAE stable.
11.
The Maestro
 |
| A.R. RAHMAN, 44, Music Director |
Because his recently-acquired hardware underlines India
and his twin Oscar wins have made him the country’s golden boy.
Because he is every international artist’s first choice for collaboration in India
whether it is Kylie Minogue or Akon.
Because he is an amazing amalgam of Indian multiculturalism: born a Hindu, he converted to Islam at his mother’s behest and gave his first public performance in a church as an 11-year-old.
Because his music, a blend of raga and reggae, jazz and hip-hop, has opened the world’s eyes to the dazzling possibilities of Indian film sound.
Time out None. While the rest of the world is celebrating his win, he has got back to work, completing his pending projects in India
Loves to Surf the Internet on his MacBook and ensures that everyone in his team uses the same too.
First stop anywhere Mosque and then an electronics shop. Currently devoted to the Continuum fingerboard.
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