TNN

Mumbai, Feb 24: On a day when a story about two estranged brothers making their peace was sweeping the Oscars and A R Rahman was singing an ode to his mother, Indian business circles were abuzz with talk of India's best known siblings possibly getting ready to bury the hatchet — on their mother's birthday.

The Ambani brothers are coming together at least for a day on Tuesday. Mukesh and Anil Ambani will jointly celebrate their mother Kokilaben's 75th birthday at Sea Wind, their Mumbai residence, fuelling fresh speculation of a rapprochement.

About 100 members of the extended family will gather for the celebrations, as will some ``close family friends'', including ICICI chairman K V Kamath, and petroleum minister Murli Deora. Each brother is believed to have invited his own set of friends, some of whom are common to both.

Not everyone think today's bash will lead to anything more substantive. ``Don't read too much significance into it. It's not just the brothers who are hosting it. Their two sisters (Dipti and Nina) are also closely involved,'' said a family friend.

But that hasn't stopped expectations from running high, especially given the importance of the occasion. ``Who doesn't hope it will happen?'' said a businessman close to the family. ``The mother is very keen to make it happen. But mind you, she's been trying to bring her sons together ever since they went their separate ways. And by the way, this isn't the first time that the brothers are coming together for a family function.''

The brothers first shook hands, after their acrimonious split, at the presentation ceremony of The Economic Times Awards four years ago. Ever since, there has been speculation about them burying their differences. These expectations have amplified in recent times, especially whenever the two have been together.

The frequency of the two brothers being in the same place at the same time, whether a coincidence or by design, has also increased in recent times. Examples: when BJP leader L K Advani had a meeting with corporate leaders to discuss the global financial meltdown, or when they met on December 28 for Dhirubhai Ambani's birth anniversary and three days later for the silver wedding anniversary of sister Dipti and Raj Salgaocar on December 31. They are also reported to have both attended the 21st birthday of one of their nieces. All this, in the space of a few months.

It's learnt that the two brothers would be jointly performing several functions, including a puja , on their mother's birthday. And, they may be together to receive and see off guests. ``Will this make the chemistry between the two work once more? I don't know,'' said a person known to the family. ``All I know is that in addition to Kokilaben, every family member, including all in-laws, have been pressing for a patch-up.''