Subhash Chandra, founder of Zee TV and the Essel Group, dropped out of school when he was only 12.

He started his own vegetable oils and rice trading unit at 19 in Hissar, Haryana.

He launched Zee Telefilms in October 1992 as a content supplier for Zee TV -- India's first Hindi satellite channel.

He pioneered new businesses: amusement park (Esselworld), laminated tubes (Essel Tubes,) satellite television (Zee TV). He has also set up world class facilities that made quality products at competitive prices.

His personal wealth is estimated at $2.3 billion.

Image: Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra at the launch of India Cricket League in New Delhi on April 3, 2007. | Photograph: STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images