Global celebrities, business magnates, and politicians began descending upon India’s financial hub on Friday to attend the wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest man. This event underscores the billionaire’s immense fortune and burgeoning influence.
Anant Ambani, 29, is set to wed his long-time girlfriend, Radhika Merchant, in what many are calling the wedding of the year. The festivities are taking place at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai and their lavish family residence, marking the culmination of months of celebratory events featuring performances by global pop icons like Rihanna and Justin Bieber.
The four-day celebration kicks off with a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony on Friday, followed by a grand reception that will extend through the weekend. According to local media, the illustrious guest list includes former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, as well as stars like Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and David Beckham. The Ambani family, however, has not officially confirmed the list.
Television broadcasts have captured the arrival of notable figures such as Kim Kardashian and professional wrestler turned Hollywood actor John Cena.
To manage the influx of high-profile guests, police have implemented traffic diversions around the wedding venues from Friday to Monday. This is especially crucial as Mumbai has been grappling with heavy monsoon rains, causing flooding and flight disruptions over the past week.
The extravagance of the event, alongside the ostentatious display of wealth, has sparked conversations about the growing inequality in India, where the disparity between the rich and poor is increasingly stark. Moreover, some Mumbai residents have expressed frustration over the snarled traffic, further exacerbated by the lavish proceedings.
“It affects our earnings. I don’t care much about the wedding,” said Vikram, a taxi driver who only uses his first name.