NEW DELHI (AP) — What happens when the son of Asia's richest man is about to get married?
His father holds a three-day pre-wedding celebration four months before the actual ceremony.
Business tycoons, heads of state and Hollywood and Bollywood stars from around the world descended on Jamnagar, a small city in western India, on Friday. Mukesh Ambani kickstarting big fat wedding celebration For his youngest son.
The guest list of about 1,200 includes pop superstars Rihanna, Bill Gates, mark zuckerbergSundar Picha, Ivanka Trump, and Bollywood celebrity Shah Rukh Khan.
All eyes are on Anant Ambani (28) and his longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant (29), who are getting married in July. Radhika is the CEO of Encore Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. She is the daughter of Viren Merchant. Ltd. and entrepreneur Shaila Merchant.
Such celebrations continue the Ambani family's tradition of extravagant parties, showcasing the economic and political clout of India's billionaires.
In this photo released by Reliance Group, Ambani poses for a photo with billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani (right) at Ambani's son Anant Ambani's pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, India, on Friday. Jared Kushner, his daughter Arabella, and Ivanka Trump are pictured from left to right. , March 1, 2024. (Trust Group via AP)
Here's everything you need to know about the pre-wedding feast that captivated families and nations.
Who is Mukesh Ambani?
Mukesh Ambani, 66, is currently the 10th richest man in the world with a net worth of $115 billion, according to Forbes magazine. He is also the richest person in Asia.
His Reliance Industries is a giant conglomerate with interests ranging from petrochemicals, oil and gas to telecommunications and retail, with annual revenues of more than $100 billion.
Under Mr. Ambani's leadership, Reliance, founded by his father in 1966, sparked a telecom price war by launching Jio 4G telephony and broadband services in 2016. Currently, the company has over 420 million subscribers and offers 5G services. Earlier this week, Disney struck an $8.5 billion deal to merge its India operations with Ambani's Reliance Industries to form a new media giant.
Among other assets, the Ambani family owns a 27-storey private apartment building in Mumbai named 'Antilla' worth $1 billion. It features three helipads, a 160-car garage, private cinema, swimming pool and fitness center.
Mr. Ambani's critics say his company has prospered largely because of his political connections during the Congress governments of the 1970s and 1980s, and then under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule since 2014. claims. They argue that India's “crony capitalism” has helped certain companies like Mr. Ambani's thrive. .
Mukesh Ambani, 66, has begun passing the torch on to his two sons and daughter. His eldest son Akash Ambani is currently the chairman of Reliance Jio. His daughter Isha oversees the retail business. And her youngest son Anant (who is due to get married in July) has joined the new energy business.
Would you like to have a party like no other?ambani has your back
Lavish parties are Ambani's specialty.
When his daughter got married in 2018, Ambani made headlines for celebrating with pop sensation Beyoncé at a pre-wedding celebration. At the time, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry were among those interacting with Indian celebrities and Bollywood stars in the western Indian city of Udaipur.
Later that year, happy couple Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal officially celebrated their engagement overlooking Italy's picturesque Lake Como. In December 2018, the couple tied the knot at Ambani's residence in Mumbai.
BP CEO Murray Auchincloss poses for a photo as he arrives to attend the pre-wedding celebrations of billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, India, on Friday, March 1, in Jamnagar, India. (left) and former BP CEO Bob Dudley. 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
What's so appealing about a pre-wedding shindig?
The three-day pre-wedding party offers a glimpse of the luxury you can expect from a July wedding.
The Ambanis are celebrating in their family's hometown of Jamnagar, a city of about 600,000 people in the desert region of Gujarat state. The business's main refinery is also located there.
Guests don jungle-themed outfits and visit an animal rescue center run by groom-to-be Anant. The 3,000-acre center, known as Vantara or Star of the Forest, houses abused, injured and endangered animals, especially elephants.
The invitation also states that guests will start each day with a new dress code, complete with a mood board and a hair stylist, make-up artist and Indian wear designer on hand to help get ready.
Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh (left) and Deepika Padukone (left) arrive at the airport to attend Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations on Thursday, February 29, 2024 in Jamnagar, India. AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Traditional Hindu rituals will also be held at the temple complex.
Many guests arrive by chartered plane, and 500 dishes prepared by approximately 100 chefs are served.
The guest list also includes Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani. Stephen Harper, former Canadian Prime Minister. and King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan.
On Wednesday, the Ambani family organized a community feeding service for 51,000 people living in nearby villages.
