Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's grand celebration brings Bollywood and global icons together

After seven months of extravagant pre-wedding festivities, Anant Ambani, son of India's richest man, married pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant in a lavish ceremony attended by thousands on July 12, 2024. The star-studded event in Mumbai saw high-profile guests like Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, and former British PMs Tony Blair and Boris Johnson. Bollywood icons, business moguls, and sports stars, including Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, and former president Ram Nath Kovind, graced the occasion. Held at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Center, the event showcased a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity. The bride and groom and their guests embraced traditional attire, with international guests like John Cena and Nick Jonas donning embroidered sherwanis. Inspired by the holy city of Varanasi, the venue featured performances from Daler Mehndi and Afrobeats star Rema. The bride was dazzled in hand-embroidered couture by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, adhering to Gujarati traditions, thereby connecting the audience to the rich cultural aspect of the event. The celebrations spanned multiple days and featured various pre-wedding rituals deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition. The sangeet ceremony, where Justin Bieber performed, and the haldi ceremony, which saw friends and family bless the couple with turmeric paste, were particularly significant. Following Hindu tradition, the wedding date was chosen based on auspicious days from the couple's birth charts, adding a profound sense of respect and appreciation for their customs. Anant's mother, Nita Ambani, recounted a trip to Varanasi where she sought blessings for the couple, aiming to reflect the city's purity and beauty at the wedding. The Ambani family remained tight-lipped about many details, but industry estimates suggest the wedding cost hundreds of millions of dollars, including significant fees for musical performers. Despite the opulence, the event boosted local businesses and showcased India's rich culture and heritage, leaving a lasting societal impact.

In this photo: Radhika Merchant, Anant Ambani

In this photo: Veda Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta, Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Krishna Piramal, Isha Ambani, Anant Ambani, Anand Piramal, Akash Ambani

In this photo: Shloka Mehta, Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani, Anand Piramal, Akash Ambani

In this photo: Veda Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta, Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Krishna Piramal, Isha Ambani, Anant Ambani, Anand Piramal, Akash Ambani

In this photo: Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani

In this photo: Veda Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta, Krishna Piramal, Anand Piramal

In this photo: Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani

In this photo: Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani