Anant Ambani Marries Radhika Merchant in Extravagant Ceremony
The event drew thousands of guests, including international celebrities like Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, and former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.
Held at the 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Center, the wedding saw an array of famous faces from Indian entertainment, sports, business, and politics, including Bollywood stars Rajinikanth and Sanjay Dutt, and former President Ram Nath Kovind. Attendees arrived in custom Indian attire, setting potential trends in wedding fashion.
Anant Ambani's family, behind India's largest private corporation, Reliance Industries, spared no expense for the celebration. Police closed roads near the venue, transformed to resemble the holy city of Varanasi, as guests arrived. International attendees adhered to traditional dress codes, with John Cena in a blue sherwani and Priyanka Chopra in a yellow sari.
The bride, Radhika Merchant, dazzled in an opulent ensemble by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, featuring a 16-foot veil and a seven-foot train. Celebrations included performances by Indian singer Daler Mehndi and Afrobeats star Rema. The event, creatively directed by Manish Malhotra, immersed guests in an atmosphere of joy and love.
The wedding capped off months of festivities, including performances by Justin Bieber and Rihanna, a Mediterranean cruise, and a communal dinner for 50,000 villagers. Opinions on the extravagant display were mixed, with some locals criticizing the opulence while others praised the economic boost.
Festivities continue through the weekend at the Ambani family's 27-story Mumbai residence, Antilia, with divine blessings and a reception to cap off what has been dubbed India’s wedding of the year.