Opening Act: The Meteoric Rise & Devastating Plunge
Anil Ambani—yes, that name associated with grand ambition, colossal losses, multiple court battles, and dramatic comebacks.
Remember when, around 2008, he surpassed his brother Mukesh to become India’s—and briefly the world’s—sixth richest man, with a $42 billion net worth?
That was before the telecom crash, debt spiral, and asset fire-sale that led to his dramatic fall from grace.
By 2020, he declared bankruptcy in a UK court, claiming “zero net worth.” Fast forward to June 2025, and analysts peg his wealth at around $530 million.
From world’s richest to arguably broke—then clawing his way back. But what’s driving this comeback?
Enter the Stock Heroes: Reliance Power & Reliance Infrastructure
Anil’s revival hinges on two of his core listed companies:
- Reliance Power
- Reliance Infrastructure
Together, these form the ADAG (Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group) public-facing comeback kids. Here’s the scoop:
1. Reliance Power
- The company scored a major 350 MW solar + 175 MW/700 MWh BESS (Battery Energy Storage) order from PSU SJVN.
- Just last week, shares hit a 52‑week high, jumping 15 % intraday, and up 136 % in the past year.
- That order also pushed ADAG stocks higher: Power surged 11 %, Infrastructure 10 % on a breakout rally.
Why it matters: Clean energy is the new gold mine. With solar‑plus‑battery projects, Reliance Power is riding a green-energy wave.
2. Reliance Infrastructure
- Fundraises totaling ₹17,600 cr in 2024 included ₹4,500 cr via preferential equity and ₹7,100 cr via FCCBs, wiping out most of its debt
- Following debt reduction, stock spiked ~10–11 % intraday
- Now its standalone debt is just ₹475 cr—after asset sales and capital raises
Why it matters: Infrastructure giants live and die on balance sheets. With almost zero debt, this one is lean, mean, and ready for growth.
What Questions Are People Searching About?
Here’s a roundup of FAQs investors and the public typically dig into—fully answered with fresh, updated details:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How rich is Anil Ambani now? | Around $530 million, a staggering fall from $42 billion |
| What went horribly wrong? | Telecom price wars, heavy borrowings, defaulting on key loans, SEBI bans, and shareholder losses . |
| How did he go bankrupt? | Debt defaults led to a UK court declaring bankruptcy in Feb 2020. He also faced contempt for failure to repay Ericsson . |
| Is this stock surge real or a flash in the pan? | Backed by clean‑energy orders and debt cleanup—not just hype. The SJVN solar/BESS deal is a strong signal , and debt clearance is concrete progress |
| What’s the current stock performance? | Reliance Power: +136% YTD; Reliance Infrastructure sees monthly/annual surges too . |
| Any lingering doubts or legal doubts? | SEBI banned Anil for five years over fund diversion; he’s still fighting these rulings . Some creditors still want payouts. | |
The Comeback Strategy in Three Acts
- Debt Elimination – Q3/Q4 2024 fundraising: Preference shares + FCCBs + asset sales targeted ₹17,600 cr to go zero debt
- Green‑Energy Pivot – Solar + BESS is cranking up; India’s PSUs are buying, and the market is waving green flags .
- Investor Confidence – Rising stock prices show renewed trust. Once relations with lenders and SEBI smooth out, more capital confidence follows.
What This Means for Investors & Onlookers
- Momentum play? Yes—clean energy + infrastructure = long‑term structural growth.
- Keep an eye on: Execution—will projects be completed on time, and margins maintained?
- Watch for: SEBI rulings and legal appeals—these add regulatory risk.
- Macro lens: India’s push for renewables and robust infrastructure is Big Picture supportive.
A Dash of Humor & Insight
- Anil’s story is Wall Street meets Bollywood: spectacular highs, gut‑wrenching lows, and a redemption arc that’s better than most Netflix shows.
- If rockets were stocks, his are: deep dive, rough landing, and now relaunching.
- Investors looking at ADAG now might wonder: “Did I miss the train? Or is the rocket fueled and ready?”
Key Highlights (Bullet‑point Recap)
- Net Worth: Fell from $42B (2008) ➝ $0 (2020) ➝ $530M (2025)
- Debt Status: Zero debt at Power & Infra following ₹17,600 cr boost .
- Share Performance: Power up 136% YTD; both stocks saw double‑digit intraday jumps on good news
- Major Deal: SJVN solar‑battery project (350 MW + 175 MW BESS) secured by Reliance Power
- Legal Watch: SEBI ban (5 years, ended 2029) remains a source of uncertainty .
Anil Ambani’s tale isn’t done—and this chapter is serious stuff. With zero debt, renewable energy thrust, and major infrastructure momentum, there’s real substance behind the hype.
Yes, legal clouds still cast some shadow—but investors are finally viewing ADAG not as financially frozen, but as fuelled for takeoff.
If Anil truly delivers on project execution and clears lingering legal hurdles, these two companies might cement his comeback—not just financially but reputationally.
After all, who doesn’t love the underdog that shoots for the stars?
