Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, hosted a lavish three-day wedding for his son Anant and Radhika Merchant at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The event featured QR code security, high-profile guests, and performances by Justin Bieber and Rihanna. The celebrations included elaborate invitations and strict security measures.
Anant Ambani’s Wedding (Image Source: Twitter)
Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, recently celebrated the wedding of his youngest son, Anant, to pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant in a lavish ceremony at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The event, characterized by extravagant security measures and high-profile guests, is being hailed as one of the most opulent weddings of the year.
Entry to the event was strictly regulated with QR codes sent to personal mobile phones, and guests were provided with color-coded paper wristbands granting access to different zones. A comprehensive medical response team, typically reserved for heads of state, was on standby to ensure the safety of attendees.
The festivities spanned three days, beginning with the wedding ceremony on Friday, followed by a blessing ceremony titled ‘Shubh Ashirwad’ for close friends and family on Saturday, and concluding with a reception named ‘Mangal Utsav’ on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event on Saturday to bless the newlyweds.
Invitations for the wedding were elaborate, with the top-tier guests receiving a red box containing a mini silver temple with gold idols of Hindu deities. Each function had a unique invitation card, one of which was crafted from silver and resembled the gate of an ancient temple.
Guests were asked to confirm their attendance via email or Google Form, and those who did received QR codes six hours before the event for entry. The security protocol included multi-layered checks, wristbands for different access zones, and a detailed emergency response plan.
The guest list featured global celebrities, business tycoons, cricketers, film stars, and politicians. Notable attendees included former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, Nigerian rapper Rema, footballer David Beckham, and Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni were also present, along with prominent politicians like Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Anant Ambani, 29, oversees Reliance Industries’ renewable and green energy expansion, while Radhika Merchant, also 29, is the marketing director for Encore Healthcare, a company owned by her parents. The wedding is the culmination of a series of lavish pre-wedding celebrations hosted by the Ambani family since their engagement in January 2023.
In March, a three-day celebration in Jamnagar, Gujarat, saw performances by Rihanna and magician David Blaine, and in May, the couple hosted a four-day Mediterranean cruise featuring concerts by the Backstreet Boys, Pitbull, and David Guetta. The cruise concluded with a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli in Portofino, Italy. Last week, Justin Bieber performed at the couple’s sangeet ceremony.
The Ambani family has not disclosed the total cost of the wedding, but the grandeur of the celebrations, including invitations costing between Rs 5-6 lakh each and the rental of three Falcon-2000 jets for guest transportation, suggests a staggering expenditure. It is rumored that Rihanna and Bieber were paid USD 7 million and USD 10 million, respectively, for their performances.
Mukesh Ambani, currently the world’s 11th richest man with a net worth of USD 119 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, has a history of hosting grand weddings for his children.
(With Inputs From PTI Agency)
