Celebrities, politicians, and pop stars from around the globe have descended upon Mumbai for the grand wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. Anant Ambani married Radhika Merchant, daughter of Indian pharma tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant, in a traditional Hindu ceremony on Friday. The wedding marks the culmination of months-long celebrations that began in March.
The festivities kicked off with a series of parties and celebrations, including a cruise around Europe with over 800 guests. The final four-day extravaganza saw the arrival of some of the world’s most recognizable faces, blending politics, sports, and celebrity on the red carpet. Among the notable attendees were pop icons Rihanna and Justin Bieber, who performed at various events leading up to the wedding.
The who’s who of Bollywood joined the celebrations, including actress Priyanka Chopra and her husband, singer Nick Jonas. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie were also among the political heavyweights in attendance. The Ambani residence in Mumbai was lit up and decorated for the occasion, with folk musicians performing outside the home ahead of the wedding.
Security was tightened around the house, and traffic restrictions were put in place on the roads leading to and from the wedding venue. The grand procession, known as the baraat, saw the groom set off from his residence in a luxurious red car covered in strings of white flowers, followed by a convoy of decorated cars carrying family members. The procession culminated at the Jio World Convention Centre, owned by the Ambanis, where several Bollywood stars joined in another round of singing and dancing.
International celebrities, including reality TV star Kim Kardashian, were also in Mumbai for the grand wedding. WWE legend John Cena was seen joking with reporters as he walked the red carpet. The bride and groom exchanged garlands to kick off the wedding, followed by the main wedding ritual of walking around the sacred fire seven times, known as the pheras.
The wedding celebrations are set to continue over several days, with parties planned for Saturday and Sunday, and a grand reception scheduled for Monday. Reports suggest that pop stars Drake, Lana Del Rey, and Adele may perform at the grand party.
Mukesh Ambani, 66, is currently the world’s 10th richest man with a net worth of $115 billion, according to Forbes. His conglomerate, Reliance Industries, operates in sectors ranging from petroleum and retail to financial services and telecoms. Anant Ambani, the youngest of his three children, is involved in Reliance’s energy businesses and is on the board of Reliance Foundation.
The Ambanis have not disclosed the cost of the wedding, but wedding planners estimate it to be between 11 billion and 13 billion rupees ($132 million-$156 million). It was rumored that Rihanna was paid $7 million for her performance, while Justin Bieber’s fee was suggested to be $10 million.
The wedding has sparked a mix of admiration and criticism. While some see it as a powerful symbol of India’s growing stature on the global stage, others have questioned the ostentatious display of wealth. Opposition politician Thomas Isaac called the expenditure “obscene,” stating that such lavish spending is a sin against the poor and the environment.
The guest list for the wedding included former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, and celebrities like Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and David Beckham. Former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron, and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti were also in attendance.
The wedding festivities began in March with a three-day pre-wedding party in Gujarat, attended by 1,200 guests, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft’s Bill Gates. The party featured performances by Rihanna, Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, and rapper Akon.
In June, the Ambanis organized another pre-wedding celebration, a luxury cruise from Italy to France, with performances by the Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and Pitbull. The family also hosted a mass wedding for 50 underprivileged couples as part of the celebrations.
The wedding has led to traffic diversions around the venue, causing inconvenience to Mumbai residents already dealing with monsoon flooding. Some locals have expressed frustration, saying the road closures have worsened traffic problems and affected their earnings.
Despite the criticism, the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant remains a significant event, showcasing the Ambani family’s wealth and influence. The celebrations are a testament to the grandeur and opulence that have become synonymous with the Ambani name.
Source: Reuters, Getty Images, EPA, ANI, Instagram
