According to real estate entrepreneur Abhinandan Lodha, Amitabh Bachchan's investment in Ayodhya began with an unusual late-night inquiry that has since grown into a substantial real estate portfolio. Speaking at the Hindustan Times India Next Real Estate Summit 2026, Lodha revealed that the incident took place in 2023 while he was in Australia. "It was around 3 am, and I noticed a couple of missed calls along with a message that read, 'This is Amitabh Bachchan, please call back when convenient.'" Lodha recalled. "I literally stood up and called him back," he said, noting that individual buyers generally look for much smaller plots, making Bachchan's enquiry particularly notable. During their conversation, Bachchan told Lodha, "Main UP se hoon aur mujhe Ayodhya mein land leni hai" - I am a native of Uttar Pradesh and I want to buy land in the holy town of Ayodhya. Lodha responded, "We will do it for you." On price, Lodha recalled saying, "I replied, 'How can I talk pricing with you?'" but Bachchan pressed on, revealing he was looking at a 15,000 sq ft plot.
Following the initial inquiry, the discussions moved forward quickly, resulting in Bachchan's purchase of a 15,000-square-foot plot at The Sarayu, a luxury plotted development by The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL). According to the company, this marked the actor's third investment in Ayodhya and his fourth plotted development with HoABL. The transaction was completed in March 2026, with Bachchan transferring the full ₹15 crore amount the very next morning after their late-night conversation. As reported by Hindustan Times, Lodha commented that Bachchan's repeated investments reflected a belief in land as something that preserves value across generations, stating "At HoABL, we view land not merely as wealth but as a legacy. In Ayodhya, this legacy assumes a profound meaning, a virasat where faith and inheritance come together."
Bachchan's Ayodhya investments have grown progressively larger over time, demonstrating his commitment to the temple city's real estate market. In 2024, he purchased a 10,000 sq ft plot in HoABL's flagship mixed-use development, The Sarayu, for ₹14.5 crore before the Ram Mandir inauguration in January 2024. A year later, in May 2025, he bought a 25,000 sq ft plot adjacent to the same project for nearly ₹40 crore. Most recently, in March 2026, Bachchan acquired a 2.67-acre land parcel worth ₹35 crore from HoABL, located near The Sarayu. The company described this as his third investment in Ayodhya and his fourth plotted development purchase with the firm, bringing his total Ayodhya land portfolio to well past ₹90 crore. Bachchan had also invested in HoABL's Sol de Alibaug project through the acquisition of a 10,000 sq ft plot.
Bachchan's purchase reflects the growing investor interest in Ayodhya following significant developments in the city. As reported by Liases Foras in Ayodhya – A Rising Global Spiritual Capital, the city has become a major destination for religious tourism since the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, leading to increased demand for premium residential and commercial properties. The report indicates that land prices in Ayodhya have been rising steadily, recording a 19% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Ayodhya has seen sustained infrastructure investment following the consecration of the Ram Mandir in January 2024, and real estate activity in the city has picked up considerably since. According to HoABL, the land parcel is located near HoABL's 75-acre luxury development, The Sarayu, supporting the company's statement that "Ayodhya is emerging as a compelling destination for long-term land ownership and value creation."
The investment outlook for Ayodhya appears promising, with projections indicating continued growth momentum. According to the Liases Foras report, the growth rate could touch 25% by 2035, driven by infrastructure development and increasing tourist footfall. This growth trajectory suggests that Bachchan's decision to invest in multiple properties in the temple city reflects the confidence many high-profile investors now have in the city's long-term growth and development prospects, with his portfolio demonstrating the potential returns available in Ayodhya's premium real estate market. As HoABL noted, "Supported by sustained infrastructure development and public investment," Ayodhya is positioned as a compelling destination for long-term land ownership and value creation.
