Indian Billionaire Heir Anant Ambani Weds at Lavish, Star-Studded Ceremony
In a grand celebration in Mumbai, Anant Ambani, son of India’s wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani, married pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant on Friday. The extravagant affair, held at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Center, drew numerous A-list celebrities and notable figures from around the globe. The guest list included international stars like Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, alongside Bollywood luminaries such as Rajinikanth and Sanjay Dutt, as well as many prominent Indian politicians and sports personalities.
The Ambani family, owners of Reliance Industries, spared no expense for this high-profile event. The celebrations began with a lavish red-carpet arrival, despite the rain-soaked streets of Mumbai, with roads closed off by police to accommodate the influx of high-profile guests. Attendees showcased a dazzling array of traditional Indian attire, setting potential new trends in wedding fashion. Among the striking appearances were John Cena in a sky-blue sherwani and Nick Jonas in a sequined baby pink outfit, while Priyanka Chopra shone in a yellow sari.
The groom, Anant Ambani, initially arrived in a golden sherwani paired with sneakers, which he later changed for the ceremony. Radhika Merchant wore an exquisite, hand-embroidered bridal ensemble by the Indian label Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Her outfit, in line with Gujarati traditions, featured a red-trimmed ivory ensemble with a 16-foot-long veil adorned with stones and sequins. The event’s decor was inspired by the holy city of Varanasi, aiming to embody its purity and beauty, as explained by Anant’s mother, Nita Ambani, who had recently visited the city to seek blessings for the couple.
Details about the event had been closely guarded, but rumors had swirled regarding the guest list and performances. The celebration was meticulously planned by renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who served as the event’s creative director, ensuring every detail, from decor to attire, was perfect. This meticulous planning was evident in the elaborate pre-wedding rituals, which included a “sangeet” night of music and dance featuring a performance by Justin Bieber, and a private “haldi” ceremony where the bride and groom were blessed with turmeric paste by their families.
Anant Ambani, a 29-year-old Brown University graduate and director at Reliance’s energy business, and Radhika Merchant, also 29 and the daughter of Encore Healthcare founders Viren and Shaila Merchant, were the focal point of the celebrations that reportedly cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The wedding not only highlighted the opulence of the Ambani family but also brought significant economic activity to Mumbai, with local businesses benefiting from the influx of high-profile guests.
Opinions on the lavishness of the wedding varied among Mumbai residents. Some, like preschool teacher Devanshi Zaveri, criticized the extravagance, while others, like banker Jenica Kothari, appreciated the economic boost it provided. The wedding festivities were set to continue through the weekend at the Ambani family’s 27-story residence, Antilia, with events like the “Shubh Ashirwad” (divine blessings ceremony) and a Sunday reception featuring an “Indian chic” dress code.
The wedding concluded a seven-month series of celebrations that began with a celebrity-filled engagement party in January, followed by a communal dinner for over 50,000 villagers, a 1,200-guest pre-wedding bash attended by figures such as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, and a rare live performance by Rihanna in March. The lavish affair has been described as one of the most anticipated and extravagant weddings of the year in India, highlighting the immense wealth and influence of the Ambani family.