Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is set to marry Radhika Merchant, a pharmaceutical heiress. The couple has been at the center of several lavish pre-wedding festivities hosted by the Ambani family, which runs Reliance Industries, India’s largest conglomerate.
The celebrations, starting in December, have included an engagement party in January, a three-day event in March at the family’s refinery township in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and a four-day European cruise in May. High-profile guests such as Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Rihanna have attended, and performances have featured artists like Katy Perry and Andrea Bocelli.
Despite these grand celebrations, the actual wedding ceremony has yet to take place. Scheduled from July 12 to July 14 at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai, the event is expected to be one of the most extravagant weddings of the year. The festivities leading up to this ceremony have included a sangeet night with Justin Bieber and a private haldi ceremony, reflecting the traditional Hindu rituals.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant
Mukesh Ambani, the groom’s father, is known for hosting opulent events. With a net worth exceeding $122 billion, he is a prominent figure in India’s business elite, where grand weddings serve as displays of wealth, status, and social capital. The Indian luxury wedding market has grown significantly, with wealthy Indians spending over $75 billion annually on weddings, attracting major celebrities and influencers.
The Ambanis are no strangers to headlines for their extravagant events. In 2018, they hosted the most expensive Indian wedding for Mukesh Ambani’s daughter, Isha, at nearly $100 million.
However, the latest Ambani wedding has sparked discomfort among those who see it as a stark display of wealth in a country with significant income inequality. Critics highlight the gap between India’s richest 1%, who own 40% of the country’s wealth, and the more than 200 million people living in poverty.
The Ambanis’ wealth and their relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi have drawn scrutiny. Mukesh Ambani’s close ties with Modi are evident in his public praise and the family’s support of Modi’s initiatives.
Critics argue that this relationship has fostered crony capitalism, benefiting business leaders like Ambani through favorable government policies and contracts. The temporary upgrade of Jamnagar airport’s status for pre-wedding festivities and restricted access to roads in Mumbai for the wedding venue have fueled allegations of preferential treatment.
Despite the criticisms, some view the Ambani wedding as aspirational. Many middle-class and poor Indians strive to save for grand weddings, and the Ambanis’ lavish celebrations can inspire entrepreneurial ambitions. The family has also hosted charitable events, such as a mass wedding for underprivileged couples, providing gifts and support, and showcasing their philanthropic side.
The Ambani wedding events have garnered significant attention on social media, with images of luxurious destinations, designer outfits, and celebrity appearances going viral. While some admire the display of wealth as a sign of India’s rising global power, others express resentment.
The ostentatious wedding card, which went viral, led to calls for wealth redistribution and higher taxes on the rich, reflecting the ongoing debate about economic inequality in India.
