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The Reluctant Billionaire: How Dilip Shanghvi Became the Richest Self-Made Indian
NOMINATED FOR TATA LITERATURE LIVE AWARDS AND SHORTLISTED FOR GAJA CAPITAL BEST BUSINESS BOOK PRIZE The book is an untold human story of an enterprise and its creator, Dilip Shanghvi, who raced ahead of Mukesh Ambani to become the richest Indian in 2015
Shanghvi is one of the most interesting and least understood business minds of India whose journey has been shrouded in mystery because of his reticence.
The book reveals the riveting story of the fiercely intense personality that lies beneath his calm demeanour. Based on interviews with over 150 friends, family members, rivals, former aides and Shanghvi himself, it traces his transformation from a quiet, curious child working in his father's small shop to an astute strategist, who built India's largest pharma company, Sun Pharma, despite being untrained in science.
The tale unravels his contrarian and controversial bets that made Sun a global force, and him a 'turn-around' artist. It is also about the friends and family Shanghvi started his company with, the hurt and emotional conflicts surrounding their separation, and how Shanghvi staked his closest relationships to professionalize Sun.
This book is an extraordinary story of an ordinary man, who chooses to stay anti-famous. He would rather have his face unrecognized, his story untold. But at a time, when a billion dreams are simmering in an aspiring India, this tale is for everyone who has once had a secret dream, an insanely bold one.
Shanghvi is one of the most interesting and least understood business minds of India whose journey has been shrouded in mystery because of his reticence.
The book reveals the riveting story of the fiercely intense personality that lies beneath his calm demeanour. Based on interviews with over 150 friends, family members, rivals, former aides and Shanghvi himself, it traces his transformation from a quiet, curious child working in his father's small shop to an astute strategist, who built India's largest pharma company, Sun Pharma, despite being untrained in science.
The tale unravels his contrarian and controversial bets that made Sun a global force, and him a 'turn-around' artist. It is also about the friends and family Shanghvi started his company with, the hurt and emotional conflicts surrounding their separation, and how Shanghvi staked his closest relationships to professionalize Sun.
This book is an extraordinary story of an ordinary man, who chooses to stay anti-famous. He would rather have his face unrecognized, his story untold. But at a time, when a billion dreams are simmering in an aspiring India, this tale is for everyone who has once had a secret dream, an insanely bold one.
520 pages, Hardcover
Published June 17, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 20, 2020
A shining example of meritocracy!
This book tells a story of how a guy minding his own business and how someone from a small time medical wholesale store in Calcutta to owning the biggest pharmaceutical company in the country . A self made person without cronyism or favours from government. How M&A can make or break the company and the repercussions to thousands of stakeholders like employees, vendors, customers.
The approach to target medical students who will become the next wave of practicing doctors is simply a master stroke.
I like the way the author has tried to show Dilip Shangvi's personality and his thought process... How along his journey he had his close 5 cousins and friends, employees, mentors, partners, family.. His support system. Keep your circle small.. "Hitler had thousands of followers, Jesus had only 12."
The book is detailed and I could follow along as I read the words and soaked in his story.The rise and fall of huge giants like Taro and Ranbaxy
I would recommend this book to everyone who loves reading... It's just a great read and an interesting story which coaxes us to keep that inquisitive child alive in each one of us and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge
Happy reading
Peace ✌️
This book tells a story of how a guy minding his own business and how someone from a small time medical wholesale store in Calcutta to owning the biggest pharmaceutical company in the country . A self made person without cronyism or favours from government. How M&A can make or break the company and the repercussions to thousands of stakeholders like employees, vendors, customers.
The approach to target medical students who will become the next wave of practicing doctors is simply a master stroke.
I like the way the author has tried to show Dilip Shangvi's personality and his thought process... How along his journey he had his close 5 cousins and friends, employees, mentors, partners, family.. His support system. Keep your circle small.. "Hitler had thousands of followers, Jesus had only 12."
The book is detailed and I could follow along as I read the words and soaked in his story.The rise and fall of huge giants like Taro and Ranbaxy
I would recommend this book to everyone who loves reading... It's just a great read and an interesting story which coaxes us to keep that inquisitive child alive in each one of us and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge
Happy reading
Peace ✌️
August 16, 2019
When news of the biography first broke out, a colleague of mine asked me if I would provide an honest review of the book- since we are employed in the company owned by the subject of the biography. I said yes right away, but will admit that there was some apprehension about proving true to my belief
Every rags to riches story has a de-facto awe-inspiring aspect to it. The Reluctant Billionaire is no different, seeing that not much has been known about Mr. Shanghvi's ascent to being the richest person of India in 2015, save for a few pointers here and there
Writer Soma Das constructs the biography through the eyes of multiple people- friends, family, business associates. The final picture presents a person who is revered by people he has worked with, as also affirms the fact that he is indeed the whole and soul (with some help, of course) of his company, even thirty years after its inception
For those who know Mr. Shanghvi, if only remotely, this book is no revelation. But it does help understand, if not entire accept, certain ways that are entrenched into the company and its longtime employees
Every rags to riches story has a de-facto awe-inspiring aspect to it. The Reluctant Billionaire is no different, seeing that not much has been known about Mr. Shanghvi's ascent to being the richest person of India in 2015, save for a few pointers here and there
Writer Soma Das constructs the biography through the eyes of multiple people- friends, family, business associates. The final picture presents a person who is revered by people he has worked with, as also affirms the fact that he is indeed the whole and soul (with some help, of course) of his company, even thirty years after its inception
For those who know Mr. Shanghvi, if only remotely, this book is no revelation. But it does help understand, if not entire accept, certain ways that are entrenched into the company and its longtime employees
May 19, 2020
This book truly shows Dilip perspective about the business and how to act on opportunities when they come.
January 31, 2021
Man of first principles thinking. Underrated person.
October 17, 2019
Mandatory read for young India
In this toxic world i enjoyed the inspirational read and found the story telling super interesting and gives a sense that all is not lost. The tone of the book is subtle and if not read with attention there is a chance of missing out undertones and details.
While the story is inspirational it talks of the tough decisions an entrepreneur has to take many of which tread ethical minefields. Shanghvi's decision to give shares of his company to doctors, using an emotional connect in his marketing strategies, being extremely frugal to the point of being stingy have been brought out in a nuanced manner.
His strength include high drive, allowing mistakes, unconventional thinking, keeping his flock together by valuing loyalty in Sun and always prioritising long term over short term gains. In the age of instant gratification this a must read for all youngsters.
In this toxic world i enjoyed the inspirational read and found the story telling super interesting and gives a sense that all is not lost. The tone of the book is subtle and if not read with attention there is a chance of missing out undertones and details.
While the story is inspirational it talks of the tough decisions an entrepreneur has to take many of which tread ethical minefields. Shanghvi's decision to give shares of his company to doctors, using an emotional connect in his marketing strategies, being extremely frugal to the point of being stingy have been brought out in a nuanced manner.
His strength include high drive, allowing mistakes, unconventional thinking, keeping his flock together by valuing loyalty in Sun and always prioritising long term over short term gains. In the age of instant gratification this a must read for all youngsters.
September 16, 2019
Painstakinfly researched and documented,the author has done her share of leg work in meeting people close to Dilip to pen down an interesting narrative. What I missed is how family members were not included in this list. The problem with autobiographies I believe is that they end up eulogising the protagonist after he has made something of his life.The book could have touched upon some areas where people found him obnoxious or unbearable.She really did not have to put him on a pedestal. Some inspiration could be taken from Beyond the blue mountain on touching upon JRD Tata"s weaknesses. That added to the authenticity of the book.Overall a good read.Voluminious but insightful.
November 5, 2019
The book restores faith. That spectacular success is possible even in a place like India without Godfathers, without backing of moneyed resources, without cracking elite leagues of IITs, IIMs. That the road is tough, that every now and then, success would look like failure, and one may need to change track but not the goal.
The book also shows that you don’t need perfection to be successful. Life is always in making, you can make mistakes, and correct them, make more of mistakes, and then find a way to correct them. Also, from his life, we know, that friends are and can be assets, when you can make them, and they will make you. The book restores faith and it restores hope.
November 29, 2019
It is a good book to read and understand Sun pharma and its history. As in the title, the book is completely centered around Dilip Sanghvi. Like many other books written in the context of Indian business biography, this book provides very little insight into the Indian pharma industry. Overall the book is very person centric rather providing insightful info about industry and how Sun pharma successfully navigated all challenged.
October 10, 2019
Found the book refreshingly different. Characters are very well fleshed out. Ethical dilemmas of the entrepreneur have been brought out clearly but in a sensitive manner. You can sense that the entrepreneurial journey is fraught with emotionally tough decisions all along the way. Its a book i will read again after a gap. Brilliant and insightful journey of a painfully shy character.
November 5, 2019
The book is a brilliant read telling the story of one of the biggest corporate heros of our times who is famously elusive and almost nothing is known about him. Painstakingly researched and powerfully told, this story will remain important for two reasons—rarely do we see Indian entrepreneurs story told in an objective yet compelling way.
October 28, 2019
Outstanding (and underrated) story of Deepak Shanghvi, poorly written.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews