India’s Wealthiest Heir Anant Ambani Weds in Extravagant Event

After seven months of extravagant pre-wedding celebrations, Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest man, married pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant in a lavish ceremony attended by thousands on Friday.

Celebrities such as Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, and former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson attended the star-studded event in Mumbai. The wedding also drew prominent figures from Indian entertainment, sports, business, and politics, including Bollywood stars and cricket team members.

No expense was spared by the Ambanis, the family behind Reliance Industries. Founded by Anant’s grandfather, the conglomerate is now run by his father Mukesh, who is worth over $122 billion, according to Forbes.

In a rain-soaked Mumbai, police closed roads around the Ambani-owned, 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Center for the red-carpet event. Attendees wore custom sarees, lehengas, and kurtas, setting potential trends in Indian wedding fashion. International guests also honored the traditional dress code, with many donning designs by major Indian fashion designers.

Inside the venue, transformed into a miniature version of the holy city of Varanasi, celebrities like Chopra and John Cena danced and celebrated. The night featured performances by Indian singer Daler Mehndi and Afrobeats star Rema.

The bride wore hand-embroidered bridal couture by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, following the Gujarati tradition of wearing red and white. She later changed into an opulent red and gold outfit for the “vidai” ceremony.

Anant’s mother, Nita Ambani, recounted a recent trip to Varanasi to seek blessings for the couple. She expressed hope to “reimagine and present the purity, positivity and beauty of Varanasi at the wedding.”

The Ambani family has remained tight-lipped about the wedding details, though rumors about the guest list and performers circulated. Fashion designer Manish Malhotra served as the event’s creative director.

Pre-wedding rituals included a “sangeet” night with a performance by Justin Bieber and a private “haldi” ceremony. Anant, a Brown University graduate, and Radhika, daughter of Encore Healthcare founders, were reportedly married on auspicious dates according to their birth charts.

Local residents had mixed feelings about the extravagant event, with some criticizing the display of wealth while others welcomed the economic boost.

Festivities will continue through the weekend at the Ambani’s 27-story Mumbai residence, Antilia, with a “Shubh Ashirwad” ceremony on Saturday and a Sunday reception.