Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Limited Chairman Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant, daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, are now officially husband and wife. The grand wedding ceremony took place on July 12 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, marking the culmination of months of extravagant celebrations that captured global attention. The bride, Radhika Merchant, was seen getting emotional during her bridal entry, making the moment even more special for the families and guests present.
The wedding of the year brought together a dazzling mix of celebrities from Bollywood, Hollywood, and the South Indian film industry, along with global business tycoons and political leaders. The venue was beautifully decorated, and every moment of the ceremony was steeped in tradition and grandeur. From the groom's baraat to the emotional varmala ceremony, the festivities were a perfect blend of love, culture, and opulence.
The Grand Baraat and Groom's Entry
Anant Ambani arrived at the wedding venue in a grand baraat that was nothing short of a spectacle. Videos of the groom's entry went viral on social media, showing him dressed in traditional attire, ready to begin a new chapter of his life. The baraat was a lively affair, with family members and friends dancing to the beats of dhol and live music. Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were seen dancing with Mukesh and Nita Ambani, adding to the celebratory mood. Daler Mehndi performed live at the baraat, and Nita Ambani was seen dancing with Mukesh Ambani and their children, creating a heartwarming moment.
Radhika Merchant's Emotional Bridal Entry
Radhika Merchant's bridal entry was one of the most anticipated moments of the evening. As singer Shreya Ghoshal performed live, Radhika walked down the aisle looking stunning in her bridal ensemble. The bride was visibly emotional, and the moment was captured by several cameras, showing her wiping away tears as she approached the mandap. The bridal entry was a picture-perfect moment, with the venue's stunning décor and soft lighting adding to the fairy-tale atmosphere. Radhika's bridal look was later shared on social media by close friends, earning widespread admiration.
Traditional Wedding Rituals
The wedding ceremony followed traditional Gujarati rituals, beginning with the Antarpaat ceremony, where a cloth is held between the bride and groom to prevent them from seeing each other before the sacred moment. The couple then took part in the pheras and other rituals, with family members including Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta seen by their side. The varmala ceremony was a particularly emotional moment, with the couple exchanging flower garlands amid cheers from the guests. Later, Radhika changed her bridal outfit for the bidaai, donning a Banarasi brocade lehenga, as she prepared to leave her parental home and begin her new journey with Anant.
Star-Studded Guest List
The wedding was attended by an array of international and national celebrities. Hollywood stars Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian were present, and Nita Ambani was seen warmly welcoming them at the venue. John Cena also attended the celebrations, though he was spotted leaving Mumbai shortly after the main ceremony. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Jay Y. Lee, Executive Chairman of Samsung Electronics, were among the high-profile business and political figures present. Bollywood legends Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan arrived with their family, and Shah Rukh Khan was seen touching their feet as a mark of respect, a gesture that won hearts online.
Other notable Bollywood attendees included Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her daughter Aaradhya, and Hrithik Roshan. South Indian cinema stars Suriya and Jyotika, Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, Rana Daggubati, and Mahesh Babu also graced the occasion. Political leaders such as Lalu Prasad Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav, and Eknath Shinde were seen at the venue, adding to the diverse guest list.
Performances and Entertainment
The wedding was not just about rituals; it was also a grand celebration filled with spectacular performances. International singer Rema set the stage on fire with his hit track 'Calm Down', with celebrities like Ananya Panday and Ranveer Singh grooving to the music. Luis Fonsi also performed his global hit 'Despacito', and Ranveer Singh was seen dancing with cricketer Hardik Pandya during the performance. Himesh Reshammiya performed as well, and Ranveer Singh joined him on stage, showing his signature energy. Bollywood celebrities Salman Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and several members of the Ambani family also gave performances during the sangeet night held earlier at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.
Viral Moments and Celebrity Interactions
Several moments from the wedding went viral on social media, capturing the warmth and camaraderie among the guests. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan danced together, reigniting memories of their iconic on-screen chemistry. Aishwarya Rai met veteran actress Rekha, who was seen planting a kiss on Rai's cheek, a moment that delighted fans. Janhvi Kapoor blushed as her rumored beau Shikhar Pahariya photobombed her on the red carpet. Ranbir Kapoor was also seen interacting with Mahesh Babu, and the two superstars' meeting was widely shared online. Suhana Khan grabbed attention with her multi-coloured lehenga, while Manushi Chhillar looked elegant in a silver outfit.
Pre-Wedding Celebrations
The wedding was preceded by a series of lavish pre-wedding events that made headlines worldwide. In March, the Ambani family hosted a three-day pre-wedding celebration in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where pop icon Rihanna performed. The event was attended by several global celebrities and business magnates. As July arrived, the festivities continued with a traditional Mameru-Mausulu ceremony, where Radhika's maternal uncles showered her with gifts, clothes, and jewellery, symbolizing their blessings. Anant Ambani's grandmother, Kokilaben Ambani, also hosted a lively dandiya night in Mumbai, bringing together family and friends for a night of music and dance. The sangeet ceremony was another extravaganza, with pop sensation Justin Bieber performing for the couple, adding international glamour to the celebrations.
Live Updates from the Wedding Day
Through the evening, many iconic moments unfolded. Arpita Khan and Aayush Sharma arrived for the ceremony, while Sonali Bendre attended with her family. Sonakshi Sinha's brothers Luv and Kussh Sinha were also seen. Arbaaz Khan and his wife Sshura twinned in black as they posed for the paparazzi. Hrithik Roshan arrived alone at the venue, without his actress-girlfriend Saba Azad. The Bachchan family made a grand entry, with Abhishek and Shweta accompanying their parents. Juhi Chawla arrived with her husband Jay Mehta and their son. Soni Razdan and her daughter Shaheen Bhatt were also present.
One of the most talked-about moments was when Nita Ambani welcomed Kim and Khloé Kardashian, holding their hands as she escorted them into the venue. The groom was seen grooving to the track 'Naiyo Lagda', showing his playful side. Ranveer Singh and Hardik Pandya's energetic dance to 'Despacito' became a viral hit, and the couple's varmala video was widely shared. Radhika's emotional bridal entry, along with her stunning bridal look, was covered extensively by media and fans alike. As the ceremony wrapped up, the newlyweds began their journey together as husband and wife, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Ambani family's legacy.
Source: News18 News