Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Bieber Join Extravagant $150M Wedding Bash for Asia's Richest Family
The highly anticipated wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant, daughter of pharmaceutical tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant, is set to culminate in Mumbai after months of elaborate festivities. The event, which has garnered global attention, is estimated to cost between $132 million and $156 million.
Celebrities and VIPs Flock to Mumbai
International stars such as Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber have descended upon Mumbai for the celebrations. Kim Kardashian, accompanied by her sister Khloé, has been seen exploring the city in a tuk-tuk, sharing her experiences on Instagram. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti are among the prominent guests attending the wedding.
A Series of Lavish Celebrations
The wedding festivities, which began in March with a three-day pre-wedding party in Gujarat, have included performances by Rihanna, Diljit Dosanjh, and Akon. A luxury cruise from Italy to France featured the Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and Pitbull performing for 800 guests. More recently, Justin Bieber's arrival in Mumbai added to the final round of celebrations, with photos and videos of his performances flooding social media.
Mumbai Transformed for the Wedding
The wedding's impact on Mumbai has been significant, with key roads sealed off and traffic restrictions in place until Monday. From Friday to Monday, roads around the Jio World Convention Centre, the wedding venue, will be open only for event vehicles from 13:00 IST to midnight. This has sparked frustration among residents already dealing with traffic jams and monsoon flooding.
Cultural and Charitable Highlights
In addition to the opulent celebrations, the Ambani family has also focused on showcasing India's cultural heritage. They constructed 14 temples within a sprawling complex in Jamnagar and hosted a mass wedding for 50 underprivileged couples. A bhandara, or community feast, was organized for underprivileged people on Wednesday.
An Extravaganza to Remember
The main wedding ceremony, a traditional Hindu event, is scheduled to take place at the Jio World Convention Centre. The family will host a grand reception over the weekend, followed by a final reception for their household staff on Monday. Rumors suggest that Adele might perform at the wedding, though this has not been confirmed.
The sheer scale and luxury of the Ambani wedding have turned it into a global spectacle, capturing the imagination of people around the world while drawing both admiration and criticism for its ostentatious display of wealth.