Billionaire Mukesh Ambani, the head of Indian conglomerate Reliance and Asia’s wealthiest individual with a staggering net worth of $114 billion, is renowned for his extravagant celebrations. Currently, he’s orchestrating a grand pre-wedding extravaganza for his youngest son, Anant Ambani, set to tie the knot with his longtime partner, Radhika Merchant. This three-day affair, set to commence on Friday, is expected to host a whopping 1,200 guests and will unfold in a township near Reliance’s primary oil refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The festivities, a prelude to the July wedding ceremony, commenced with a lavish communal dinner for local villagers, serving an astounding 51,000 meals. The star-studded affair promises performances by global sensations like Rihanna and US magician David Blaine, alongside traditional ceremonies in the temple complex. Noteworthy attendees include luminaries like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Indian tycoons Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla, as well as a constellation of cricketing icons and Bollywood A-listers such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.
Anant, a director at Reliance’s burgeoning energy venture, and Merchant, a director at India’s Encore Healthcare, represent the heirs to Ambani’s vast empire. This opulent affair mirrors Ambani’s previous headline-grabbing events, notably his daughter Isha’s wedding in 2018, likened to a mini-Davos summit with high-profile guests like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.
Guests at Anant’s celebrations are in for a culinary feast, with 500 delectable dishes crafted by a legion of chefs. Pampering amenities abound, including hair styling, makeup artists, and Indian attire drapists, albeit on a first-come, first-serve basis. The itinerary also includes a visit to a rescue center housing over 2,000 animals, complete with one of the world’s largest elephant hospitals. Attendees are encouraged to adhere to a “jungle fever” dress code, sporting animal prints or Hawaiian shirts.
For convenience, charter jet flights from New Delhi and Mumbai are arranged, though guests are advised to limit their luggage to ensure smooth logistics. Laundry services are available but with reasonable expectations, with garments steamed within three hours. Exceeding the specified limits may lead to delays in luggage arrival, caution the organizers.