The man who made more money on the stock market than almost anyone else

A family man, a confident investor, someone who was sure two decades ago that India and its stock market were going to boom. T N Ninan recalls his chats with Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

If I recall right about an episode nearly two decades ago, the occasion was a discussion of Raghuram Rajan’s book Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists, at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Hotel. Suddenly, from off to one side of the hall, an extra loud voice erupted to say that India and its stock market were going to enjoy a boom like never before. It was out of context and out of place. It turned out that the voice belonged to one Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, whom I met some time later over a drink. Correction: Several drinks, and then some, at his favourite bar Geoffrey’s