Sun TV Network chief beats Ronnie Screwvala in Forbes 2026 billionaire ranking
March 13, 2026: The latest billionaire ranking by Forbes has once again named Kalanithi Maran as the richest filmmaker in India. The Forbes 2026 Billionaires List features around 4,000 of the world’s wealthiest individuals, including more than 300 from India. Maran, chairman of Sun TV Network, has held the top spot among filmmakers for the fourth consecutive year.
Maran surpassed fellow media entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala, who is the only other major name from India’s entertainment industry on the list with an estimated net worth of about $1.6 billion. Maran’s wealth, estimated at nearly ₹26,000 crore, reflects the massive scale of his media empire spanning television networks, film production and sports franchises.
His fortune is significantly higher than that of several well-known Bollywood personalities. Maran’s net worth exceeds the combined wealth of stars and filmmakers such as Shah Rukh Khan, Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar, highlighting the financial influence of large media conglomerates in the entertainment industry.