The highly anticipated wedding of Anant Ambani, youngest son of Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, to Radhika Merchant, daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, commenced with a star-studded pre-wedding extravaganza in Gujarat's Jamnagar. The opulent celebrations, spanning from March 1st to 3rd, captivated attendees and onlookers alike.
Jamnagar, a city nestled in the arid landscapes of Gujarat and boasting a population of approximately 600,000, holds deep attachment to the Ambani family as their ancestral hometown and the location of the flagship oil refinery of Reliance Industries. The wedding festivities also included traditional ceremonies held at a temple complex, adding cultural richness to the occasion.
The scale of the event was unprecedented for Jamnagar, with the city experiencing a surge in flight movements due to the influx of guests. According to airport officials, a record-breaking 70 flights, including 14 international ones, landed during this period, reflecting the grandeur of the occasion.
The celebrations commenced with a heartfelt 'anna seva' ceremony in Jogwad village near Reliance Township, where the Ambani and Merchant families, along with esteemed guests, served traditional Gujarati cuisine to over 51,000 local residents. Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant, and her family actively participated in the event, fostering a sense of community and generosity.
During the pre- wedding function guests donned jungle-themed outfits to visit an animal rescue centre run by the groom-to-be, Anant. Known as “Vantara,” or “Star Of The Forest,” the 3,000-acre (about 1,200-hectare) centre houses abused, injured and endangered animals, particularly elephants.
Nita and Mukesh's pre-wedding festivities reportedly cost £120 million, with the catering contract alone rumoured to be around £20 million. Day 1, dubbed 'An Evening in Everland,' featured elegant cocktail attire, with American floral designer Jeff Leatham overseeing intricate flower arrangements. On day 2, 'A Walk on the Wildside' took place at the Ambanis' animal rescue centre, Vantara, with jungle-themed decor. The final day, 'Maha Aarti,' showcased India-inspired decor with abundant white floral strings and lighting.
Billionaires to Bollywood royalty attended the pre- wedding
The pre-wedding festivities attracted nearly 1,200 guests, including esteemed figures ranging from billionaires to Bollywood royalty. Among the notable attendees were Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, global sensation Rihanna, and musician Adam Blackstone.
Bollywood power couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone made a highly anticipated appearance, marking their first public outing since announcing their pregnancy. Other prominent Bollywood figures, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Rani Mukerji, graced the event alongside political leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Amruta Fadnavis. The guest list also included luminaries such as Bill Gates, Indian tycoons Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla, as well as cricketing stars and global business leaders.
The extravagant three-day pre-wedding celebration transformed into a Bollywood spectacle, with each day offering unique highlights. Day one dazzled with romantic dances and a mesmerising performance by global icon Rihanna. Day two embraced a wildlife theme, accompanied by cultural celebrations and an electrifying dance by the iconic Khan trio. The grand finale on day three featured stellar musical performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh, Akon, and Lucky Ali, leaving guests in awe. Additionally, heartfelt sentiments were conveyed through handwritten letters, adding a personal touch to the festivities.
I see my father in Anant: Mukesh
In an emotional address that invoked the Indian tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’ and family values, Mukesh Ambani told his assembled guests, “As Anant and Radhika embark on a journey of a lifelong partnership, your blessings will yield a perennial harvest of good fortune whose abundance will never diminish.”
“Today, my father Dhirubhai is also showering his profuse blessings from high up in the heavens. I am sure he is doubly happy because we are celebrating this joyous day in the life of his favourite grandson, Anant, in Jamnagar,” said Ambani.
“Jamnagar became the karma bhoomi for my father and me… a place where we found our mission, passion, and purpose. It was totally barren land 30 years ago. What you see now is the realisation of Dhirubhai’s dream. Jamnagar became the turning point in the history of Reliance. It continues to be a place where we launch futuristic businesses and unique philanthropic initiatives… In all humility, I say that Jamnagar will give you a glimpse of the rise of a New India that is vibrant, optimistic, and full of self-confidence.”
Complimenting the young couple, Ambani said, "Anant means infinite. I see infinite potential in Anant. I see my father Dhirubhai in him…..his name ‘can do, will do, nothing is impossible' attitude. And in Radhika, he has found an ideal life partner. She is a reservoir of immense creative energy, a quiet fountain of love and care. Quite aptly, Radhika is the name of Lord Krishna’s favourite consort. Radhika and Anant... Yeh to rab ne bana di jodi!”
He heaped fulsome praise on his wife Nita, saying, “Three days of exciting and unforgettable festivities await all of you. Nita has conceptualised each one of them. She has single handedly put them all together by working tirelessly for several months...Even I don’t know… after four decades of being her life partner… where she gets this limitless energy from.”
Vantara, the 3000-acre animal shelter launched by Anant
Anant Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, has announced the launch of his ambitious wildlife preservation project, which is all set to become the world's largest zoo and rehabilitation centre.
Named 'Vantara,' meaning 'Star Of The Forest,' this initiative spans 3,000 acres within Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex, renowned as the Green Belt Of Gujarat. A brainchild of Anant, Vantara aims to serve as a haven for abused, injured, and endangered animals, offering comprehensive rehabilitation rather than mere zoo facilities.
Supported by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, Vantara collaborates with esteemed organisations like IUCN and WWF. The facility boasts state-of-the-art healthcare, research, and academic amenities, focusing on global animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Since its inception, Vantara has saved over 200 elephants and numerous critical species, with collaborations expanding globally to centres in Mexico and Venezuela.
Anant, the visionary behind Vantara, sees the project as both a monumental conservation effort and a beacon of hope for global biodiversity. Rooted in the philosophy of 'jeev seva' or caring for animals, inspired by Swami Vivekananda, Vantara aims to protect critically endangered species native to India and restore vital habitats.
