It was a star-studded start to Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities as Gujarat’s Jamnagar — decked up in all its splendour — played host to VVIPs from across the world and grooved to pop star Rihanna’s first-ever performance in the country.
Anant Ambani, 28, the youngest son of chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited Mukesh Ambani, and his wife Nita Ambani, is set to wed Radhika Merchant, 29, the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant and his wife Shaila Merchant. While the wedding will be held later this year, Jamnagar is playing host to a three-day gala pre-wedding bash from March 1-3.
Day 1 was called An Evening in Everland, with the dress code listed as “elegant cocktail”.
Day 2 will host A Walk on the Wildside with “jungle fever” the suggested dress code. It is set to be held outdoors in the Ambanis’ animal rescue centre in Jamnagar, and guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes and clothing for this event.
Invitees will then swap their safari-themed outfits for more elegant ones for Mela Rouge. The dress code for this is “dazzling desi romance”, suggesting glamorous traditional South Asian attire for all.
The final day will also comprise two events. The first one, Tusker Trails, suggests “casual chic” dressing, as guests are expected to further explore the green ambience of Jamnagar. The final party, Hashtakshar, calls for an elegant evening with heritage Indian attire.
Anant and Radhika got engaged in Mumbai on January 19, 2023. Their grand Gol Dhana ceremony took place at Antilia, the Ambani residence, in Mumbai. The couple’s Roka ceremony was performed at Shrinathji Temple in Rajasthan’s Nathdwara on December 29, 2022.
The VVIP guest list from India includes Kumar Mangalam Birla, Uday Kotak, Adar Poonawala, Sunil Mittal, spiritual leader Sadhguru, Sachin Tendulkar and family, MS Dhoni and family, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Amitabh Bachchan and family, Rajnikanth and family, Shah Rukh Khan and family, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, and Madhuri Dixit.
Welcoming them, the soon-to-be groom’s father, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani emphasised the “Atithi Devo Bhava” tradition.
“Our esteemed friends and family, namaste and good evening to each and every one of you. In the Indian tradition, we respectfully describe guests as Atithis. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. It means: Guests are like Gods,” he said. “When I did namaste to you, it meant that the Divine in me is pleased to acknowledge the Divine in you. Aap sab ne iss shaadi ke mahaul ko mangalmay bana diya hai. Dhanyavaad! Bahut bahut dil se dhanyavaad!”
“As Anant and Radhika embark on a journey of lifelong partnership, your blessings will yield a perennial harvest of good fortune whose abundance will never diminish,” Mukesh Ambani said. “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.”
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