Irrationally Passionate

While a college student at Wharton, Jason Kothari scraped together money from family and friends to save his childhood favourite comic book company, Valiant Entertainment, from bankruptcy and bring it back to life. A few years later, he transformed the company into the third-largest superhero entertainment company after Marvel and DC Entertainment and sold it for $100 million.

Jason then became a professional turnaround leader and went on to transform several distressed Indian Internet icons, helping save billions of dollars in value, and advise giants like technology investor Softbank, movie and television studio Balaji Telefilms, and real estate developer Emaar.

Irrationally Passionate reveals the inside story of how a rebel, train-wreck teenager transformed himself into a successful young entrepreneur, business leader and trusted advisor in his 30s. From getting his first job as an assistant to Jackie Chan in Hong Kong, to learning strategy from champion Muay Thai boxers in Thailand, to tackling huge personal setbacks, to becoming a CEO in 60 seconds, among many other stories

Jason's inspiring journey across countries, industries and companies has something for everyone. Irrationally Passionate is a highly personal, authentic and open account of a young entrepreneur's life. Brimming with practical advice and philosophical insights, it will compel readers to reflect on how they perceive life, work, family and spirituality by giving them a fresh perspective.

'From the time he handles a tough negotiation for a chess set as a child, to his turnaround brilliance in the corporate world, there is a lot that entrepreneurs can learn from him; not just bookish, theoretical knowledge, but actual real-life lessons learnt from the School of Hard Knocks. This book is a must-read if you are an entrepreneur!'
AMISH TRIPATHI, best-selling author of The Shiva Trilogy

'Jason has an inspiring story which needs to be told. A self-made entrepreneur, he recounts the many risks and learnings that will strike a note with seasoned founders and promoters as well as the new-age tech whiz kids. Thoroughly engaging, anecdotal and without a moment of ennui ... this one comes straight from the heart and says it as it is!'
PRITI RATHI GUPTA, MD, Anand Rathi

'A very engaging, hard-hitting yet emotionally bound narrative of a rebel turned enviable entrepreneur ... A delightfully interesting and fascinating read, which has made me respect Jason even more for his fighting spirit, grit, confidence and determination.'
ANUJ PURI, Chairman, Anarock Property Consultants

'I have had the privilege to work closely with Jason in multiple turnaround situations. Jason's calmness, clarity, candour and co-ordination helps him effectively navigate through the stormiest of situations. Any company in crisis should have Jason on speed dial.'
SUVIR SUJAN, Co-founder, Nexus Venture Partners

'Jason, at Valiant Entertainment, was exceptional. His success in reviving Valiant from the ashes is a rare and admirable feat. Jason is a very sharp, dynamic, relentless yet balanced entrepreneurial leader with a wonderful sense of humour and humility, who maintains good cheer even through the most trying of times.'
BILL JEMAS, former COO, Marvel Entertainment

'To believe you can, to educate yourself to be able and to find the doors and, if necessary, the windows and make it happen. Jason walks the walk and learnt a long time ago, there is no box to think out of. To create and invent is divine, but to implement is what it really is about. Jason knows.'
PETER DEKOM, former Partner, Bloom, Dekom & Hergott, named by Premiere magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful People in Hollywood