Anant Ambani, son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani married longtime girlfriend and pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant in the grandest of all weddings ‘living in the lap of luxury’. The extravaganza shattered stereotypes, and essentially turned into the social event of the century. Here’s a rundown of this mother of all weddings that had everyone from Mumbai to Manhattan talking! In attendance were the who’s who from the world of politics, sports, and films and others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also graced the high-profile Ambani celebration, as did several actors.
It was Gratitude Overloaded: All Under One Roof
Only the Ambanis could have imaged and visualised the emotional rollercoaster of having everyone together under one (very huge) roof. If we choose to name it, it would be ‘Gratitude’, and every attendee basked in the glory of this amazing event. We can also say, “Move over, Met Gala, there’s a new show in town”.
The PR Spectacle to End All PR Spectacles
For their international friends, this was more than just a wedding, it was a global PR triumph. a lavish affair that made even the Kardashians envy. For the attendees’ it wasn’t just who you knew, but how many people you could impress.
A Baarat like Never Before
The baarat wasn’t a typical Indian baarat. It was like Coachella met the Carnival of Venice, lasting many hours and featuring eight unique hallways. Singers Rema and Sukhbir, and AP Dhillon and actor Ranveer Singh performed in different corridors, followed by a big finale featuring Daler Mehndi and his son. The massive energy of these celebs and performers ensured no corners were left untouched feeling the ‘wedding vibes’.
Shop till You Drop at the wedding
No one expected this wedding where they could shop for artisanal things from all around the country, that too for free! Neither had the guest list attendees of the Ambani wedding. This cultural bazaar provided the ideal combination of retail therapy and yummy delight, all wearing their finest designer and expensive clothing. And the shopping spree included Versace glasses, isn’t that crazy?
A hallmark event in the shift of the perception of India globally
This wedding did not simply change misconceptions; it destroyed them. It washed away negative prejudices and displayed India in its glorious diversity, much like a magnificent Bollywood film. And the West is now all eyes on India. So, it’s time, take that, naysayers.
A Post-Independence Power Play
If there was ever a geopolitical flex, this was it. The wedding was an extravagant proof of India’s post-independence evolution, a showcase of how far we’ve come from the days of the British Raj to throwing parties that make even Buckingham Palace look modest.
Star-Studded Affair: Bollywood, Hollywood, and Beyond
This wasn’t just a who’s who of Bollywood; it was a star-studded convergence of global talent. John Cena was found rubbing shoulders with Bollywood A-listers and dancing at the baarat like ‘Dulhe ka Yaar’. Kim and Khloe dressed like Radhika’s Bridesmaids looking like they landed India to just ‘SERVE’. The guest list could give the Oscars a run for its money and reports suggest that the Ambanis splurge could host 10 Oscars. Bollywood actors who attended the wedding included Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and her husband Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and her husband Vicky Kaushal, amongst others.
Shifting Global Perceptions
The Ambani wedding didn’t just change perceptions across the globe, it flipped them on their head. It was a glittering visual of India’s cultural richness and growing global clout. Anant and Radhika’s wedding was able to do more for diplomacy, adding to the soft power of the country from the Western lens.
Queen Rihanna for the Pre-Wedding Festivities
What could be more iconic than coaxing Rihanna out of her almost retirement (as per her statement earlier this year)for a post-wedding bash? This was not just a performance; it was a mic-drop moment that had the world gasping. The festivities legit made people say “Sorry, Cannes, you’ve got some serious competition”
Will West have a different POV, Post-Ambani Wedding Era
We might just be entering the post-Ambani wedding era, where grandiose Indian weddings become the new norm in global high society. From a geopolitical perspective, this event was the start of something big, an era where India’s cultural diplomacy took centre stage, leaving no stone unturned when it came to showing Indian Royalty.
In the end, the Ambani wedding wasn’t just about royal celebrations and celebrity sightings. It was a bold statement that put India on the map in a way no diplomatic mission ever could. It was lavish, it was glamorous, and it was unforgettable. It’s time to say hello to the new world order, one where India throws the biggest, baddest parties, and the whole world is invited.
