Isha Ambani Piramal: “I grew up very much a tomboy”

It’s safe to say that we have all been curious about the life inside Antilia. From parvenus to blue bloods, the country’s collective obsession with Ambanis has built up intrigue that often spurs into gossip. But what was it like for growing up in India’s richest household? “Very, very normal,” insists Isha Ambani Piramal, as she takes us back to her favourite memories from her childhood—school, friends and what they taught her.

Priya Tanna: Tell us about growing up with two boys? Were you the naughty one?

Isha Ambani Piramal: I was the only girl with four boys at home. It was Akash, Anant, Anmol, Anshul and me. So by default, I had to be naughty to survive. If I tried to be anything else, I wouldn’t be included in all their games and fun. I grew up very much a tomboy. At home, there was no gender bias. I was never told that because you’re a girl, you can’t do this or that.

PT: Surrounded by wealth and fame, you inevitably attracted a fair share of sycophants. How do you find true and meaningful relationships?

IAP:  While growing up, I never felt different from my peers and classmates. I think there are very few people who have tried to be friends with me because of fame or prominence. When I was studying and working abroad, I was pretty much anonymous.

It would be naive to say that I’ve never come across such sycophants, but I always try and see the good in another person and assume their best intent. I haven’t come across a “yes” person, who agrees to everything I say. At Jio, we are treated as any other manager working at Reliance—if you are not doing your job well, somebody else will take your job and do it. It’s not like you are the only person who will do your job. And we are held accountable for what we do.

But we are very normal. It may sound weird to some people, but I do believe that we are ordinary in the sense that we live like everyone else—my family, our relationships—we are very close, grounded, and our relationship is based on love. My parents have had the same friends since I was born. And it’s the same with Akash, Anant and I. Of course, we have some new friends, but our core group has pretty much remained the same. In that sense we’ve been very lucky to be surrounded by real people who tell you the tough things in life if they have to.

PT: How do you balance these ‘normal’ friends from school and university, to those like Priyanka Chopra?

IAP: PC, I’ve known forever. But she is more like an elder sister to me. We actually got closer when we were both living away from home in the US. We again share a very real relationship—we see each other in real-life settings and not in like glamorous ones; we have real conversations. She’s a really strong mentor and role model [to me].

PT: Now with Akash’s wedding coming up, there’s a new face in your family, with Shloka. What is your relationship with her?  

IA: Akash has the largest heart ever. He changed his wedding dates for me. He got engaged to Shloka before Anand and me, but he was like, “I’ll get married afterwards, you take my wedding dates.” He’s like one of the most—I don’t think there’s a word for it in English—“dayalu” humans in this world. He’s empathetic, gracious and gentle, just like Shloka.

In fact, Shloka’s sister, Diya [Mehta Jatia] and I were in the same class in Sunflower and then in JB [Petit]. We have been best friends for over 25 years. Then when I moved to Ambani, I skipped a grade and went to Shloka’s class. So I’ve been like a third sister to them. I was thrilled with the engagement news. Shloka’s always been part of the family for us.

PT: I saw a very endearing video of Akash hugging Anand. What’s their relationship like? 

IA: My siblings love him (Anand). He is hysterical and always has everyone in splits! One thing that he always tells me that I did not practice in my life earlier, is spirituality. He quotes the Bhagwat Gita often. Through him I have learnt that in life, nothing can substitute good thoughts and good deeds. Akash and Anant look upon him as an older statesman of the family.

PT: You are a public influencer without even realising it. Yet, on social media, you seem quite reticent. Is this a conscious decision?

IA: Not really. I have a private account on Instagram because there’s no need for me to have a public account. I’m not an influencer and it’s not something that I want to be. I don’t want to be known for the number of followers I have. I use social media for fun—scrolling through Instagram is a huge source of entertainment for me!

Read more in Vogue India’s February 2019 issue out on February 2, 2019. Subscribe here

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