Inside Anant Ambani's Lavish, Star-Studded Pre-Wedding Celebration

Inside Anant Ambani's Lavish, Star-Studded Pre-Wedding Celebration

When it comes to extravagant Indian weddings, Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest man in Asia, certainly knows how to make a statement. This weekend, he's pulling out all the stops for the pre-wedding celebrations of his son, 28-year-old Anant Ambani.

The event is expected to be nothing short of opulent, with no expense spared. Anant is tying the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Radhika Merchant, the 29-year-old daughter of another prominent Indian billionaire, Viren Merchant. It's a union that's set to capture attention and dazzle guests.

This star-studded event is set to be the talk of the town, featuring none other than global sensation Rihanna, whose recent arrival in India sent the internet into a frenzy.

Among the 1,200 elite guests are big names like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Fink, Sundar Pichai, Stephen Harper, Kevin Rudd, and Ivanka Trump. Indian moguls Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla will also grace the occasion, alongside cricket stars and Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.

Disney CEO Bob Iger might also make an appearance, especially after the announcement of an $8.5 billion merger with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, poised to revolutionize India's media landscape.

This lavish affair is happening at the Ambanis’ sprawling estate, featuring a 3,000-acre garden with a mango orchard. Guests can anticipate performances from illusionist David Blaine and, of course, Rihanna herself.

According to reports, attendees are encouraged to dress to impress in “jungle fever” attire for a glamorous cocktail party.

The festivities include visits to the Ambanis’ animal rescue center and a grand gala offering an astonishing array of over 2,500 dishes prepared by a team of 65 chefs. Guests are pampered with hair styling, makeup, and saree draping services, along with private charter flights from New Delhi and Mumbai.

Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of $111 billion, reigns as Asia’s wealthiest individual and the 11th richest person globally. Leading the Reliance conglomerate, he's expanded its reach from petroleum refining to retail, telecommunications, food, and digital streaming services.

His family, including wife Nita and their children, are poised to inherit his vast empire. With meticulous succession planning underway, the Ambani legacy continues to evolve, with 28-year-old Anant poised to carry the torch alongside his siblings.

Anant Ambani wears many hats within the Reliance empire, currently serving as a director in their new energy venture and the Reliance Foundation.

His engagement to Radhika Merchant, who also holds a position on her father’s pharmaceutical firm Encore’s board, was celebrated last January in a traditional ceremony at the opulent Antilia, the Ambani family's towering residence in Mumbai.

Antilia, standing 27 stories high, has garnered global attention for its status as the most expensive property in the world during its construction.

India's penchant for lavish weddings is well-known, with an annual spending exceeding $75 billion.

These events attract not only celebrities but also the crème de la crème of the fashion and entertainment worlds. However, none quite compare to the extravagance of the Ambani affairs.

In 2018, the family made headlines with what was reported to be a nearly $100 million wedding for Anant's sister, Isha. The festivities spanned across Lake Como, Mumbai, and Udaipur, with superstar Beyoncé headlining the sangeet, and notable figures like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry among the guests.