With The Projected Rs 5,000 Crore Cost, Is Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Wedding The Costliest? (The newly-weds with Justin Bieber)
Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest man who runs the oil to telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited, and his wife Nita Ambani have spared no expense in celebrating their youngest son Anant Ambani’s wedding of which the pre-wedding celebrations kicked off four months ago. Anant Ambani, youngest among three Ambani kids, others being elder brother Akash and sister Isha, tied the knot with Radhika Merchant on Saturday in Mumbai. Radhika is the daughter of Viren Merchant, CEO of Encore Healthcare, whose net worth is estimated at more than Rs 755 crores.
The festivities began with a lavish three-day pre-wedding bash in Jamnagar back in March, where performances by international music icons like Rihanna, Akon, and Diljit Dosanjh electrified the atmosphere. The event drew the attention of the global elite, including billionaires like Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg.
Following this, an opulent luxury cruise from Italy to France in June treated VIP guests to performances by Katy Perry and the Backstreet Boys, setting a new standard in luxury entertainment.
Ambani family arrives with groom Anant for the wedding ceremonies#ARWeddingCelebrations pic.twitter.com/FhSiZO27bQ
— Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) July 12, 2024
Guests have been indulged with extravagant gifts and services befitting the Ambani reputation for grandeur. From private charter flights to chauffeur-driven luxury cars, and lavish offerings like Louis Vuitton bags, gold chains, and designer footwear, every detail has been meticulously curated to ensure a memorable experience. The pinnacle of entertainment was reached during the sangeet ceremony on 5th July, where pop sensation Justin Bieber was flown in to headline the evening’s festivities, accompanied by electrifying performances from rappers Badshah and Karan Aujila.
With an extensive array of pre-wedding events totaling eleven by the latest count, coupled with hefty fees paid to global stars, the Ambani family has undoubtedly accrued a staggering bill. Reports from LiveMint, The Economic Times, and Outlook Business estimate that the celebrations have cost approximately Rs 5,000 crore. This figure surpasses the costs of iconic weddings like Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s at Rs 1,361 crore and Sheikha Hind Bint bin Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s at Rs 1,144 crore, marking it as one of the most expensive weddings globally.
Baraat of the year #ARWeddingCelebrations pic.twitter.com/EnDuu3j2xS
— Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) July 13, 2024
Noteworthy expenditures include Rs 74 crore paid to Rihanna for her performance at the Jamnagar pre-wedding festivities, and Justin Bieber’s staggering fee of Rs 83 crore for his sangeet night appearance. The Daily Mail also reports that Rs 2,500 crore was allocated solely to the pre-wedding events, covering expenses such as the luxurious Celebrity Ascent cruise liner, private jets, and comprehensive security measures.
The festivities commenced with the Shubh Vivah on July 12, the traditional wedding ceremony that signifies the union of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. This is followed by the Shubh Aashirwad on 13th July, where the couple receives blessings from esteemed guests, and culminates with the Mangal Utsav, a grand reception on July 14. The guest list reads like a who’s who of global celebrities, including prominent figures from Bollywood, international icons such as Kim Kardashian, John Cena, and Adele, along with politicians and sports personalities, adding a touch of glamour to the affair.
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Netizens reacted hilariously after a post on Reddit revealed that the cost of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding was ₹5,000 crore, which is only 0.5% of Mukesh Ambani’s worth. The user took a dig by saying that expectations were for around ₹1,000-2,000 crore, but ₹5,000 crore was ‘mind-blowing.’
A surreal 24 hours. So grateful for the Ambani family for their unmatched warmth and hospitality.
An experience filled with so many unforgettable moments which allowed me to connect with countless new friends, including meeting @iamsrk and being able to tell him personally the… pic.twitter.com/MNRb29cFuV
— John Cena (@JohnCena) July 13, 2024
Celebrities from across the globe, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Kim Kardashian, and Samsung CEO Han Jon, arrived in Mumbai today for the wedding.
Costliest weddings so far:
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Salama (1979): In 1979, the ruler of Dubai spent over $137 million on a five-day wedding that still holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive wedding.
Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia (2004): The daughter of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s wedding featured luxurious accommodations and extravagant celebrations across Parisian landmarks, costing $66 million.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana (1981): Held in St Paul’s Cathedral, their wedding cost $48 million and was seen by 750 million people worldwide.
Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011): Despite being less extravagant than his parents’ wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nuptials cost $34 million.
