Asia’s richest man celebrates son’s wedding with a star-studded bash
On Saturday, prominent international celebrities are set to don “jungle fever” attire during a visit to a zoo in India, organized as part of a lavish event hosted by the wealthiest individual in Asia.
Pop icon Rihanna, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, along with Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, and industry titan Gautam Adani are among the esteemed guests who have arrived to participate in a three-day extravagant celebration hosted by billionaire tycoon Mukesh Ambani.
This weekend’s festivities mark an extravagant pre-wedding celebration for Mukesh Ambani’s younger son, Anant, and his fiancée, Radhika Merchant, the daughter of affluent pharmaceutical tycoons.
The three-day extravaganza, featuring a captivating performance by Rihanna on Friday, her first since last year’s Superbowl, will continue with a visit to an “animal rescue center” showcasing exotic creatures. This initiative is close to Anant’s heart, situated in his family’s hometown of Jamnagar in western Gujarat state, where the weekend’s festivities are unfolding.
Indian media reports indicate that Saturday’s agenda includes a “Walk on the Wildside” event at the Ambani’s animal rescue center, with a suggested “jungle fever” dress code and a recommendation for guests to opt for comfortable attire and footwear.
In the evening, guests will transition from safari-themed attire to elegant wear for a celebration highlighting Indian culture.
Mukesh Ambani, aged 66, chairs Reliance Industries, India’s largest company by market capitalization, and ranks as the world’s 10th-richest individual according to Forbes, with a net worth exceeding $116 billion.
Having inherited a thriving industrial conglomerate encompassing oil, gas, and petrochemicals from his father, Ambani has expanded it into a diversified entity with significant interests in retail, telecommunications, and ownership of an Indian Premier League cricket team.
Reliance’s strategic partnerships with renowned fashion brands such as Burberry, Armani, and Jimmy Choo have enabled the conglomerate to cater to the burgeoning demand for luxury goods among India’s burgeoning middle class.
Ambani’s residence, Antilia, a 27-floor skyscraper reputedly costing over $1 billion to construct and staffed by 600 employees, stands as one of Mumbai’s most iconic landmarks.
While it drew criticism from author Arundhati Roy and others upon its completion in 2010 for symbolizing the stark disparity between India’s affluent elite and its impoverished masses, Antilia remains a testament to Ambani’s prominence in Indian business circles.
In 2018, Ambani orchestrated India’s most lavish wedding to date for his daughter, reportedly spending $100 million and featuring a performance by American pop icon Beyonce.
Anant, aged 28 and serving as a director on several Reliance-owned firms, is set to wed Merchant, aged 29, later this year.
This time, the guest list includes Disney chief Bob Iger, following a recent agreement between Reliance Industries and Walt Disney to merge their Indian media ventures. The merger will establish an $8.5 billion entertainment powerhouse in the world’s most populous nation and fifth-largest economy.