Mumbai: In a rare public show of support, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has come forward in solidarity with Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani, following the Enforcement Directorate’s raids on multiple properties and firms linked to him in connection with a money laundering investigation.
On Sunday afternoon, Big B took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle and shared a link to a report titled “Curious timing of ED raids”—a move many are interpreting as a subtle critique of the agency’s actions. While he didn’t issue a direct statement, his post included telling hashtags: #AnilAmbani #Reliance.
This move by the 81-year-old superstar has reignited public attention toward the long-standing camaraderie between the Bachchans and the Ambanis. Industry insiders recall that Anil Ambani had been a pillar of support for Bachchan during one of the lowest phases of his life in the late 1990s, following the collapse of his company ABCL (now ABCorp Ltd.). That emotional and financial backing reportedly helped Big B regain his footing in the industry.
Their friendship goes beyond financial support. Anil Ambani’s wife, Tina Ambani—former Bollywood actress—shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in the 1983 film Pukar, and the two families have remained close ever since. Reports also claim that the Bachchan family once used Anil Ambani’s private jet during an emergency involving Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, further indicating their enduring trust and personal bond.
Just last month, Big B took to Instagram to applaud Ambani’s business resilience after stocks of Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure began to recover. “There can be no barriers for perseverance and hard work,” he wrote, in what now seems like a foreshadowing of his recent message.
Meanwhile, despite the ED action, both Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure clarified in statements to the stock exchanges that the raids have had “absolutely no impact” on their operational or financial health. “Our business performance remains strong, and all stakeholder interests are fully protected,” the statement read.
While the ED has yet to make a formal announcement detailing the findings or intent behind the raids, questions are being raised about their timing—especially as they come at a point when Ambani-led firms are showing signs of revival after prolonged financial strain.
