India’s Wedding of the Year!
Anant Ambani (R), son of Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and his fiancee Radhika Merchant (L), at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. EFE/EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

India’s Wedding of the Year!

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New Delhi, Jul 11 (EFE).-

The western Indian city of Mumbai gets ready to host the so-called wedding of the year: that of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of multi-billionaire and Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani; and Radhika Merchant, in a series of ceremonies that are expected to be filled with glamor and opulence.

Radhika Merchant is the daughter of Indian industrialist Viren Merchant, while her 29-year old groom’s father is among the world’s 10 richest men, with a fortune of over $110 billion, according to Forbes.

Anant and Radhika have known each other for years, according to a statement by the two families following their engagement in 2022 in which they sought the blessings and good wishes of everyone.

The pre-wedding parties began in March, with three days of over-the-top celebrations at a complex owned by the Ambani family in Jamnagar, that saw more than 1,200 guests attending.

The event featured a performance by Rihanna, among many others, and was attended by several high profile names, including several big Bollywood names and magnates such as Bill Gates.

The pre-wedding celebrations did not stop there. The couple embarked on a luxurious four-day Mediterranean cruise in May with 1,200 other friends and family, which included performances by the Backstreet Boys, DJ David Guetta, Pitbull and Katy Perry, the bride revealed in an interview in Vogue magazine.

Finally, the real wedding – in a traditional fashion – is set to begin Friday at a convention center in Mumbai owned by the Ambanis, and will continue over three days and feature multiple traditional ceremonies and events.

The invitations alone are pieces of art, in a large orange chest with images of Hindu gods and gifts for guests. Each invitation box is estimated to be worth $5,000-$7,000, according to several media outlets.

While the official list of confirmed attendees remains a secret, several alleged “leaks” on Indian media claim that featured guests will include prominent world leaders, and public figures from the business, media and social media world.

According to several media outlets such as the Times of India, celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham have been summoned for the occasion, as well as select members of Bollywood elites such as actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.

The festivities will continue on July 13 with a blessing ceremony or “Shubh Ashirwad,” and a grand reception on July 14, known as the “Mangal Utsav.”

The wedding menu is expected to showcase India’s rich culinary offerings, with items from Benares’ famous Kashi Chaat Bhandar, known for its street food, among other options commissioned by a select group of renowned chefs.

The influx of guests has led to an increase in hotel bookings and prices, particularly in the areas of the city near the wedding site, with many of the five-star hotels already sold out.

Mumbai police have issued a traffic advisory from July 12-15, anticipating disruptions due to the wedding with private fleets of vehicles transporting guests.

While the Ambanis have not confirmed the entertainment list, the media speculates that international stars such as Adele, Lana del Rey and Drake could take the stage in one of three days of extravagance starting Friday.

On July 5, the Sangeet ceremony – a premarital reception dedicated to music and dance – featured a performance by Justin Beiber.

In 2018, the wedding of Isha Ambani, daughter of Mukesh Ambani, featured a performance by Beyoncé, while Coldplay performed at the wedding of his eldest son Akash Ambani. EFE

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