‘Reliance With Outlive Both Of Us’: Mukesh Ambani’s ‘Commitment’ To Father Dhirubhai

Mukesh Ambani’s vision for Reliance Industries is deeply rooted in the ideals of legacy, nation-building, and purposeful innovation. Drawing inspiration from his father and Reliance founder, Dhirubhai Ambani, he believes that great businesses are not born merely out of profit-seeking motives, but from a deeper aspiration to solve large-scale societal challenges and transform lives.
“My father used to say, if you want to start a business to be a billionaire, you are an idiot. If you want to start a business to impact a billion people, then you have a good chance of success,” Ambani recalled in an interview with McKinsey’s Gautam Kumra. That sentiment, he says, defines Reliance’s North Star—driving meaningful impact across India while building sustainable, future-ready enterprises.
Founded with a mere $100 saved by Dhirubhai while working at a gas station in Yemen, Reliance started by trading in textiles and polyester. But its transformation into a petrochemical, telecom, retail, and digital technology powerhouse was guided by a single principle: anticipating and building businesses of the future. “From polyester in the 1980s to launching Jio in 2016 and now investing in green energy, we ask ourselves: What is the most critical need for India’s development, and how can we fulfill it at scale over time?” Ambani explains.
He believes that bold investments—such as the $25 billion spent to launch Reliance Jio—are worthwhile if they enable digital transformation. “In the worst case, we wouldn’t have made money. But we’d still have delivered the greatest philanthropy by digitising India,” he says.
Reliance, Ambani insists, is not just a company; it is an institution. “My father said to me, ‘Reliance is a process. It’s an institution that should last.’ That’s my commitment to him—that Reliance will outlive both of us,” he states. With Reliance nearing its 50th anniversary, Ambani’s ambition is to ensure it thrives even beyond a century, constantly evolving every 4–5 years to stay ahead of change.
This enduring vision is tied to a deep sense of purpose. “You come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. What you leave behind is an institution that serves people,” Ambani notes. Through tech-led innovation, clean energy, and nation-first values, he is steering Reliance to be a cornerstone of India’s future.

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