Extravagant wedding of Mukesh Ambani's son dominates headlines

Mumbai:  The wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, took place on Friday in a grand ceremony that has captured significant attention both locally and internationally. Reliance, Ambani’s $260 billion conglomerate, heavily publicized the event through social media.

This intense media and social media coverage, amplified by Bollywood stars' posts, has piqued public interest, even as some have criticized the extravagance amidst India's growing economic disparity.

Anant Ambani, 29, married his long-time girlfriend Radhika Merchant, 29, in a star-studded event in Mumbai attended by celebrities and politicians, including Kim Kardashian, Tony Blair, and Boris Johnson.

The celebrations will continue with three days of receptions.

An anonymous executive at Reliance described the event as a "powerful symbol of India’s growing stature on the global stage," highlighting the country's economic, political, intellectual, and scientific prowess.

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest person, is renowned for hosting opulent parties, particularly for his three children: Akash, Isha, and Anant. The gatherings, featuring international artists and Bollywood stars, often run into millions of dollars.

The exact cost of this particular event remains undisclosed, but it promises to be the most lavish of Ambani's galas to date.

Some critics, like opposition politician Thomas Isaac, have labeled the spending "obscene." Isaac stated, "Legally it may be their money, but such ostentatious expenditure is a sin against mother earth and the poor."

The wedding, considered a public event, led to traffic restrictions in a key Mumbai business district for four days, causing public frustration.

With limited access and closely guarded details, Reliance has shared glimpses of the celebrations through its official Facebook page, boasting 2.3 million followers. The account posted video clips and photos of dance performances, including a family dance to a Bollywood song at a private music function, tagged #ARWeddingCelebrations.

Media access to the venue was restricted on Friday night, with only a select number of photographers and TV crews allowed to capture the guests. Onlookers stood outside in the rain, some taking pictures as Bollywood music played from inside.

A foreign company executive attending the wedding mentioned that event organizers would likely cover phone cameras to prevent unauthorized photos. Most of Ambani's celebrations are closely monitored.

The wedding festivities began in March with a three-day pre-wedding party attended by 1,200 guests and a performance by Rihanna, followed by a European luxury cruise with 800 guests in May. Bollywood actresses later posted photos on Instagram, showcasing luxury designer labels without revealing details of the cruise.

Indian TV news channels have been tracking the wedding minute-by-minute, with Times Now providing continuous updates on the guest list and menu.