In April, bought a 50 percent stake in Pantaloon Retail for $150 million. In July it acquired Canadian pulp mill Terrace Bay for $110 million and will be investing $250 million more. Group is also negotiating to buy Jaiprakash Gaur’s cement business that is at 70th position on this list. In his first venture into media, he bought 27.5 percent in Living Media, which publishes magazines India Today and Business Today.

Fast facts

In April, he took part, along with family, in the 70th wedding anniversary celebrations of his grandparents Sarala and Basant Kumar Birla, in Kolkata. His mother Rajashree has built a hospital in her late husband’s name and is known to support India’s widows.

9. Hinduja Brothers

$8 billion

Source: Diversified

Residence: London/Geneva/Mumbai

Their Flagship brand Ashok Leyland has a 25 percent share of the commercial vehicles market in India and its Indian-listed IndusInd Bank now has a market cap of $3 billion. It has interests in defence, energy, petroleum, media and technology.