VIPs from around the world are invited to an Indian wedding so extravagant it will shut down the heart of the country’s financial capital.
Boris Johnson, Tony Blair and David Beckham are reportedly among the guests at the wedding of the son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, in Mumbai.
The four-day extravaganza kicks off on Friday, but Anant Ambani’s marriage to longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant, both 29, is the culmination of celebrations throughout the year.
Rihanna sang at a three-day event in March, while Katy Perry and Pitbull performed on a European cruise with 800 guests in May, local media reported, and Justin Bieber performed last week at a private concert.
According to Rajan Mehra, the chief executive of Club One Air, the Ambanis have hired three of his company’s Falcon-2000 jets to ferry wedding guests and expects more than 100 private planes to be used.
“The guests are coming from all over and each aircraft will make multiple trips across the country,” he said.
Image: Anant Ambani with bride-to-be Radhika Merchant. Pic: Reuters
Image: Cars near the decorated home of Mukesh Ambani. Pic: Reuters
Others expected to attend include Mike Tyson and Jean-Claude Van Damme, according to a source with knowledge of the plans, cited by Reuters news agency.
US wrestling superstar and actor John Cena posed for a photo at the venue on Friday.
Image: John Cena poses for pictures on the red carpet. Pic: Reuters
Image: Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh poses for a photograph with his wife Genelia. Pic: AP
Local media reports the Kardashians, Adele, Lana Del Rey and Drake are also invited.
Friday’s wedding will feature traditional Hindu rituals and the reception will be held over two days.
Image: Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra pose for pictures on the red carpet. Pic: Reuters
Image: Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani at one of the pre-wedding ceremonies. Pic: Reuters
On Monday, there will be a “special reception” for the Ambanis’ household staff, according to a document detailing the plans.
Political involvement
The wedding developed political overtones as it got into full swing on Friday, with posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lining the road to the venue.
“Heartfelt welcome to India’s beloved and respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai,” read the dozens of posters.
Image: Posters of the prime minister lining the street. Pic: Reuters
While his name is not on a guestlist shared by organisers, Mr Modi is visiting the Mumbai area to inaugurate “a project” and may briefly attend the wedding, according to police official Manoj Shinde.
A state spokesperson said the posters were not put up by the ruling party, but may have been the work of “excited party workers”.
Mr Modi has been criticised by Indian opposition leaders who say he is too close to tycoons like Mr Ambani, allegations the prime minister has denied.
Traffic problems
Raising the ire of locals, roads near the venue – the upmarket Jio World Convention Centre owned by the Ambanis in the central business district – will be open for “event vehicles” only between 1pm and midnight from 12-15 July.
Mumbai is notorious for traffic, particularly at this time of year during the monsoon season.
Image: Traffic near the venue. Pic: Reuters
Traffic has already slowed in the immediate area around the venue, which is being adorned with decorative lights and red flowers.
Marigolds and bright yellow lights have also been used to decorate the trees outside Ambani’s 27-storey mansion, Antilia, in Mumbai.
The celebrations have been deemed a “public event”, according to police, due to the presence of international and Indian household names.
Image: The decorated house of Mukesh Ambani. Pic: Reuters
For some residents, it’s too much.
“How can it be a public event? Surprised by special treatment on the pain of normal public,” asked one user on X.
Another asked: “If it is a public event, can I go inside?”
The estimated millions and millions of pounds spent on the months-long celebrations have also triggered debate in a country where income inequality has been rising.
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