The world's longest and most expensive wedding has begun

Published March 3rd, 2024 - 06:59 GMT
Mukesh Ambani
In this picture taken on March 31, 2023, Anant Ambani (R), son of Indian businessman Mukesh Dhirubhai Amani, and his wife Radhika Merchant pose for pictures during the inauguration of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) at the Jio World Centre (JWC) in Mumbai. (Photo by SUJIT JAISWAL / AFP)

ALBAWABA Prominent figures from around the world have gathered in India's Gujarat state to attend a pre-wedding celebration organized by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries. The event, held in honor of Ambani's son, Anant Ambani, who is set to marry Radhika Merchant in July. 

The extravagant festivities, set to span three days, commenced with a grand pre-wedding party in Gujarat, India.

The Ambani family hosted a communal dinner for 51,000 local residents in Jogwad village near the Reliance Township in Jamnagar. The event was graced by a special performance from global superstar Rihanna, who entertained the guests with a repertoire of 19 songs.

 Charter jets for tycoons and celebrities, a performance by Rihanna and directions to don “jungle fever” outfits when visiting an animal rescue center — that’s how billionaire Mukesh Ambani is kickstarting big fat Indian wedding celebrations for his son.  The head of Indian conglomerate Reliance and Asia’s richest man with a net worth of $114 billion according to Forbes, Ambani is known for never doing a party by halves.  The occasion of the moment that has India transfixed is a three-day pre-wedding jamboree for his youngest son Anant Ambani, 28, who is set to marry his long-time girlfriend Radhika Merchant, 29. It begins Friday, will entertain 1,200 guests and takes place in a township in Jamnagar near Reliance’s main oil refinery in the western state of Gujarat.  The wedding itself does not take place until July and festivities de facto began on Wednesday when Anant and his bride-to-be hosted a communal dinner for local villagers that served 51,000.  In addition to pop and R&B superstar Rihanna, US magician David Blaine will perform and there will also be traditional ceremonies in a temple complex.  Anant’s pre-wedding bash is likely to be attended by Bill Gates, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, fellow Indian billionaires Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla, as well as many cricketers and Bollywood film stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the plans who declined to be identified.  Also likely to attend is Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, which announced a $8.5 billion merger of its India media assets with Reliance’s on Wednesday.

The guest list for Anant's wedding weekend reads like a who's who of the global elite, with figures such as Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai, Ivanka Trump, and Mark Zuckerberg among the attendees, lso in attendance are Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is also expected, following the recent announcement of an $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Disney's India TV and streaming media assets.

The festivities are not just limited to entertainment; guests will also have the opportunity to engage in unique experiences. Activities include a visit to the Reliance animal rescue center, an evening at the "mela rouge" fair, and a "tusker trails" event surrounded by a diverse array of wildlife.

Mukesh Ambani’s estimated net worth of $111 billion on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index makes him, at present, the richest person in Asia and the 11th richest person in the world.

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content