Anant Ambani Marries Radhika Merchant in $1 Billion Mumbai Spectacle

When Anant Ambani, youngest son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, married Radhika Merchant in a six‑day extravaganza that began on July 12, 2024, India’s richest family turned Mumbai into a live‑action royal court. The event, officially titled Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant WeddingMumbai, dazzled more than 16,000 guests at the Jio World Convention Centre and later at Antilia, the 27‑story penthouse valued at $4.6 billion. Critics say the $600 million‑$1 billion price tag underscores a widening gap between India’s ultra‑rich and the average citizen, while admirers hail it as the country’s “wedding of the year.”

Background of the Ambani and Merchant Families

Mukesh Ambani, the 66‑year‑old chairman of Reliance Industries, commands a personal fortune of $123.3 billion, making him the richest person in Asia. His son Anant (born April 10, 1995) graduated from Brown University in 2017 and now heads the conglomerate’s energy arm while sitting on several subsidiary boards. Apart from business, Anant runs Vantara, an animal‑rescue sanctuary in Jamnagar, and often speaks about wildlife conservation.

Radhika Merchant (born December 18, 1994) is the daughter of Viren Kumar Merchant, the CEO of Encore Healthcare, a pharmaceutical group dubbed a “tycoon” by Indian business magazines. A New York University alumna, Radhika served as marketing director for her father’s firm before joining the couple’s charitable trusts.

The two met in 2017 after a mutual friend introduced them during a drive in Mumbai. Their romance turned public when Anant proposed at the Shrinathji Temple in Rajasthan on December 29, 2023, a moment he later described as “the happiest day of my life.”

The Six‑Day Celebration: Timeline and Highlights

The festivities officially kicked off on July 11 with traditional haldi and mehndi ceremonies in the Ambani garden. The haldi ritual, where turmeric paste is smeared on the couple, is believed to usher in prosperity, while the mehndi ceremony featured intricate henna designs symbolising fertility and joy.

• July 12 – Shubh Vivah: The main wedding ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre, a venue that can seat up to 16,500 guests. A red carpet rolled out for Bollywood stars, CEOs, and foreign dignitaries alike.
• July 13 – Shubh Aashirwad: A divine blessings ceremony at Antilia, where family members performed a mameru rite (maternal uncle presenting gifts) and a garba night under a lantern‑lit sky.
• July 14 – Mangal Utsav: A three‑hour reception at Antilia featuring a live performance by Rihanna, a surprise duet by Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, and fireworks that lit up the Bandra‑Kurla skyline.

Even after the primary three‑day weekend, celebrations continued until July 30, with secondary events in Jamnagar and a Mediterranean cruise where the couple hosted a private party on a chartered yacht.

Who Attended and What Performed

The guest list read like a Who’s Who of global power. Former Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a video message, while U.S. tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg arrived with his wife beside a fleet of electric cars. The Kardashian family made a cameo, snapping selfies with the bride on the Antilia balcony.

In addition to Western pop icons, the couple invited traditional Indian performers: a classical Kathak dancer, a tabla maestro, and a troupe of folk singers from Rajasthan. The blend of high‑tech light shows and centuries‑old rituals highlighted the Ambanis' knack for marrying (pun intended) heritage with modernity.

Cost, Criticism and Economic Context

Estimates of the total bill vary widely. A Bloomberg analysis put the figure at $850 million, while Indian media outlets like The Times of India suggested it could have topped $1 billion when you factor in the Mediterranean cruise, private jet charters, and the star‑studded performances. The wealth displayed sparked a wave of criticism on social platforms, with many users calling the extravagance “tone‑deaf” amid rising inflation and unemployment rates.

Economists argue that such spectacles, while seemingly wasteful, serve a strategic purpose for the family’s brand. “High‑visibility events cement the Ambanis’ status as global investors and cultural patrons,” said Dr. Priyanka Sharma, a professor of business ethics at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. “They also generate a short‑term boost to the hospitality and entertainment sectors, though the net social benefit is debatable.”

What This Means for India’s Elite

The wedding has become a shorthand for India’s emerging “Gilded Age.” As The New York Times noted, the celebration “introduced the world to India’s Gilded Age,” signaling a class of billionaires whose lifestyles mirror those of European royalty. For younger Indian entrepreneurs, the event offers both inspiration and a cautionary tale about public perception.

Looking ahead, the Ambani family is expected to channel some of the wedding’s surplus into the “Vantara Wildlife Trust,” a new conservation initiative announced by Anant on his Instagram the day after the reception. Whether that will soften the backlash remains to be seen, but it does illustrate the family’s penchant for pairing spectacle with philanthropy.

Key Takeaways

• The wedding spanned six days, with main ceremonies on July 12‑14, 2024.
• Cost estimates range from $600 million to $1 billion, prompting debate over wealth inequality.
• High‑profile guests included politicians, CEOs, and global pop stars.
• Organized primarily by Nita Ambani, who oversaw a seven‑month planning process.
• The event underscores the cultural shift toward ultra‑luxury celebrations among India’s elite.