*The marriage of Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant was an extravagant affair that gathered celebrities from all corners of the globe. Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan and American wrestling star John Cena as well as Bill Gates, and Kim Kardashian were just three of the many high-profile guests at this star-studded event. And, as described by Fatima Fatima Bhutto of the Zeteo newsletter, this opulent celebration not only embodied sheer luxury but also raised eyebrows for its tastelessness amidst the surrounding poverty.

The Pre-Wedding Bash

The festivities kicked off in March in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the Ambani family’s hometown and site of the world’s largest oil refinery. Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding celebration spanned three days, setting the stage for what would be months of unapologetic extravagance.

Mediterranean Cruise and Local Ire
In May, the couple hosted a lavish Mediterranean cruise with 1,200 guests. The cruise moored in Portofino, Italy, where the entire seashore was closed off to the public for a serenade by Andrea Bocelli. This disruption irked the locals but set a new standard for nautical nuptial celebrations.

The Sangeet Extravaganza
By July, the celebration included a sangeet ceremony where pop sensation Justin Bieber performed. This event alone would suffice as a year-end highlight for many, but for the Ambanis, it was merely another high note in a long sequence of illustrious events.

The Majestic Wedding
The actual wedding ceremony, costing an alleged $600 million, capped the months-long series of celebrations. The affair featured a guest list that read like a Who’s Who of the global elite. The event was graced by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Boris Johnson, and even political figures such as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, alongside the Clintons and the Blairs.

A Display of Wealth and Power
In a display of sheer opulence, Nita Ambani, the groom’s mother, adorned herself with a $59 million emerald necklace. The grandiosity was hard to ignore, amid glaring poverty just outside the venue. To accommodate the influx of guests arriving via private jets, Jamnagar’s modest airport was upgraded into an international facility almost overnight, enlisting the help of military and air force personnel to serve the family.

Bollywood’s Finest as Performers
In a remarkable feat, Mukesh Ambani managed to bring Bollywood’s three biggest stars together: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan. These top-tier actors, who jokingly once claimed that having all three in one film would bankrupt a producer, were present, dancing and entertaining like magicians at a child’s birthday party.

Controversies and Criticism
Such a display of extravagance, amidst India’s widespread poverty, naturally drew criticism. Many compared attending the event to performing fealty at a Chechen warlord’s festivities, an overblown and grotesque exhibition of wealth. Despite the criticism, the Ambanis welcomed a veritable parade of global freeloaders, including politicians, business tycoons, and celebrities, who seemed undeterred by the ethical implications of their presence.
Kim and Khloe Kardashian at the wedding of Anant Ambani – via GettyImages

Conclusion
The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant will undoubtedly go down in history for its ludicrous expenditure and ostentatious displays of wealth. While it provided an unprecedented stage for the mingling of Bollywood, Hollywood, and the global elite, it also served as a glaring spotlight on the stark social inequalities of contemporary India. As photos of Shah Rukh Khan with John Cena circulate online, it’s clear the Ambani wedding has set a new, albeit controversial, standard for celebrity-studded celebrations.

This article paints a vivid picture of a wedding that was as notable for its guest list and extravagance as it was for its social implications. It highlights the excesses and criticisms surrounding the Ambani family’s ability to host a wedding of such grandiose proportions amidst India’s socio-economic backdrop