Interesting facts about Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

Most interesting facts about Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is one of the most famous persons of the Indian stock market.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was born in Mumbai on July 5, 1960. Jhunjhunwala started trading when he was in college in 1985. He invested Rs 5,000 as his capital in the stock market. He has proved himself as a real inspiration for stock market investors.

According to Forbes Magazine, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is the 48th richest person in India with a net worth of $4.6 billion (Rs 34,387 crore) as of 2022.

As per Jhunjhunwala, he developed an interest in the stock market after listening to his father. He has been a risk-taker from the start of his career in stocks.

In this article, we discuss most interesting facts about Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.

Was fascinated by the stock market early in life

With his father being an IRS officer who worked as the commissioner of Income Tax, there were always talks about money, taxes, and stock markets at Rakesh’s home. This made a young 12-yr boy Rakesh curious about markets. At that time, Rakesh didn’t know that his curiosity would take him to places he could not have imagined.

Started investing with a few thousand rupees

Just like every typical Indian father, Rakesh’s father permitted him to follow his passion only after finishing his professional degree. Jhunjhunwala completed CA in 1985 and expressed his desire to enter the stock market to his father. To this, Rakesh’s father replied, “Do it on your own and don’t ask anyone for money.” With that in mind, Rakesh started his journey in the stock market with his hard-earned Rs. 5,000.

Minted the first big profit with Tata Tea

In 1986, Rakesh bought 5,000 shares of Tata Tea trading at Rs. 43 apiece. Within 3 mth, the stock rose to Rs. 143 giving Rakesh a huge profit of Rs. 5 lakh. During 1986-1989, he made more such trades that earned him gains of about Rs 20-25 lakh.

Started Rare Enterprise company

Rakesh Jhujhunwala got married to Rekha Jhunjhunwala in 1987. Rekha is also a stock market investor. In 2003, the couple established their own stock trading firm named Rare Enterprises. The name is derived from the first two initials of his and his wife.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala loves street food

Rakesh is a foodie and loves street food, dosa, and Chinese cuisine. His love for Pav Bhaji makes him a Mumbaikar at heart. Pleasantly, Rakesh prefers Pav Bhaji cooked at home by his wife Rekha over the street variant. Apart from eating, he also enjoys watching food shows.

Rakesh is a big fan of Bollywood

Rakesh is a big fan of Bollywood. He has produced films such as English Vinglish, Shamitabh, and Ki & Ka. In 1999, with four other partners, he launched Hungama Digital Media as an online promotions agency and is now Chairman of the same. Later, it was renamed Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. As of 2022, Hungama Music and Hungama Play are available in the OTT market.

He has produced films such as English Vinglish, Shamitabh, and Ki & Ka

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala gives back to society

Rakesh says that he isn’t a philanthropist but hopes to be one. He has committed to donating 25% of his portfolio or Rs. 5,000 cr, whichever is lower on his 60th birthday. His father, who passed away in 2008, always used to encourage him to do charity. So from 2008, Rakesh started giving 25% of his dividend income as charity.

He contributes to St Jude, which runs shelters for cancer-affected children, Agastya International Foundation, and Arpan, an entity that helps create awareness among children about sexual exploitation.

Regarded as Warren Buffet of India

He is widely known and accepted as the Warren Buffet of India due to his excellent analyst skills and knowledge of the Indian stock market.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is the king of dividends

Rakesh’s portfolio has a sea of stocks that offer dividend returns in crores. Here are a few numbers: Rakesh holds about 3.93 cr shares of the Titan Company, which announced Rs. 4 per share as dividends in August 2020. That’s approximately Rs. 15.7 cr in dividends. Next, he and his wife Rekha together hold about 39.75 lakh shares in Crisil. It has given Rs. 19 per share as dividends over three interim periods in 2020. That’s about Rs 7.5 cr. On top of that, there might be another dividend giveaway before March 2022.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala makes Hourly  Rs 35 lakh in stock market

Mega stockholder

As of March 31, 2022, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala holds 37 stocks in the market. He is extremely bullish on the banking sector. He was once a bear in the Harshad Mehta days, and made a lot of money by shorting stocks post the securities scam in 1992.

With time, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has identified gems and has created a solid multi-bagger portfolio. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s net worth was increasing at a rate of roughly Rs 60 crore per week and Rs 240 crore per month. If we strip it down even further, he made roughly Rs 35 lakh every hour in the stock market. Every hour, this money would be sufficient to purchase an Audi or BMW sedan.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Made Thousands of Crores in 30 Years

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has generated Rs. 5000 crore from a Rs. 5000 investment within only 30 years.