How Ambani family pressure caused Anil and Tina to split – and the strange India to LA phone call that rekindled their love 4 years later

Jun 14 , 2021

Tina and Anil Ambani’s romance was originally cut short but rekindled thanks to Anil following his heart. Photo: @tinaambaniofficial/Instagram

Mukesh Ambani’s brother Anil and wife Tina have a solid relationship now, but the romance almost never happened, as told to Simi Garewal more than 20 years ago

Anil spent months persuading the Des Pardes actress to date him, but their love was cut short and they stopped speaking – until an earthquake hit LA

He was from a famous family. She was a well-known actress. Their love was crushed after family and societal pressure came between them. But somehow Anil Ambani and Tina Munim found their way back together in a whirlwind romance that saw them get married after not speaking for four years.

Just how did love win out in the end? A single phone call after an earthquake almost wrecked his chances. Eventually, the family pressure simmered and Anil dialled up the romance to plan a surprise proposal and wedding.

Here’s what you need to know about Anil and Tina’s love story, as told by the pair in their first TV interview together with Simi Garewal more than 20 years ago.

The first meeting

Tina first met Anil Ambani at a wedding where she caught his attention because she was dressed in black. Photo: @hunkymedia/Twitter

The actress Tina Munim first drew Anil’s attention at a wedding where she was wearing a black sari, an unusual colour for the celebration. Anil said he approached the famous actress and said black should be worn to funerals, not weddings.

A few months later, Anil met Tina again while he was working in the US. He asked her on a date but she declined. Tina said she wasn’t in the right space to meet a man. Later her nephew approached her and vouched for Anil. She kept agreeing to go on a date, but regularly postponed, until she eventually couldn’t avoid Anil any longer.

In the vintage interview, Tina said she loved Anil’s simplicity and that he was just a genuine guy. Anil said he had preconceptions about her because she was in the film industry, but was surprised to find she had none of the superficial qualities he expected.

Family pressure causes a split