The Marriage of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant Cost IDR 9.6 Trillion, The Gifts Received Have Sparked Curiosity
Anant Ambani, heir to Asia's richest family's business, married Radhika Merchant, heir to Encore Healthcare, in a lavish wedding in Mumbai on July 12, 2024. This marriage culminated after five months of meticulous preparation.
Key Point
- One of the chefs involved was Chef Virgilio Martinez from Central restaurant in Lima, Peru. Central has been acclaimed as one of the world's best restaurants, ranking first in "The World's Best Restaurant 2023
- Not only did celebrities and notable figures attend, but also former UK Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, futurist Peter Diamandis, artist Jeff Koons, Jay Shetty, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and even former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper graced the occasion
- Even Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian were seen at this lavish wedding. Not only that, a lineup of Bollywood stars such as Priyanka Chopra and Jonas, Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan with his wife Gauri Khan also became part of this spectacular celebration
According to Hindustan Times, the pre-wedding celebrations comprised three parts and the wedding rituals spanned two weeks. The Ambani family is renowned for their opulence, and no one can host a celebration quite like them.
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Quoting People and based on calculations by The Guardian, the total cost of Anant Ambani's wedding, including pre-wedding festivities and payments to celebrities, amounted to USD 600 million, approximately IDR 9.69 trillion (assuming a USD to IDR exchange rate around 16,153). While seemingly enormous, this amount is relatively small compared to Anant's father Mukesh Ambani's estimated wealth of around USD 123 billion, or approximately IDR 1.986 trillion, according to Forbes.
Generosity was the primary sentiment at this wedding, prompting people to wonder how guests from billionaire families could reciprocate in kind. What gifts did famous celebrities and public figures bring? Considering the extravagance of Anant and Radhika's wedding, the Ambani family could receive whatever they desired, as reported by Lifestyle Channel Liputan6.com on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Some sources mentioned that family guests typically brought gifts like statues or portraits of religious deities, reflecting the Ambani family's deep spiritual and religious connections. The wedding invitation itself featured images of various gods such as Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, complete with a temple motif.
During Anant and Radhika's lagna vidhi, the bride walked towards the varmala ceremony against the backdrop of Shrinathji. Shrinathji also served as the motif for Radhika's lehenga during the garba evening.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant personally sought blessings from Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth Swami Sadananda Saraswati and Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, Swami Avimukteshwaranand. However, one guaranteed gift they received was a plant from Indian actor Jackie Shroff.
The unforgettable wedding celebration took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Jio Center in BKC Mumbai. This luxurious event extended until Sunday, July 14, 2024, and was commemorated with exceptional dishes for the invited guests. As Asia's wealthiest family, the Ambanis naturally spared no expense in showcasing the talents of world-renowned chefs.
One of the chefs involved was Chef Virgilio Martinez from Central restaurant in Lima, Peru. Central has been acclaimed as one of the world's best restaurants, ranking first in "The World's Best Restaurant 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna," and also securing the position of "The Best Restaurant in South America 2023." The decision to choose Chef Virgilio Martinez to serve vegetarian cuisine at this Gujarat-themed wedding was an intriguing blend of culinary traditions.
Chef Martinez is renowned for his innovative use of rare Peruvian products in his cooking. Together with his team of 13, he prepared a variety of vegetarian dishes that were both tantalizing and refined. The invited guests were treated to unforgettable flavors and an exceptional culinary experience.
This wedding celebration was not only a memorable moment for the newlyweds but also for the fortunate guests. By involving Chef Virgilio Martinez and his team, the Ambani family ensured that the cuisine served became a highlight of the wedding.
At Cavatina restaurant in Goa, renowned chef Avinash Martins was employed to create Goa-inspired dishes that celebrate the local culture of India.
Chef Avinash offered an exclusive menu that tantalized the palate, featuring dishes like Asparagus and Pine Nut Caldin, Wok-tossed Edamame and Brussels Sprouts Kismur, Pao De Queso, Dirty Grilled Sweet Potato and Corn Gallette, and Grilled Oyster Mushroom Xacuti.
Furthermore, Chef Virgilio also presented other enticing exclusive menus, such as Zucchini and Asparagus Tiradito, Purple Amaranth; Avocado Emulsion & Peruvian Corn; and Cantalopue Ceviche & Burrata, Cashew Roll with Mountain Chimichurri and Fresh Cheese. Of course, the Ambani family did not overlook presenting delicious traditional Indian dishes. They offered a luxurious fusion of traditional Indian cuisine with exotic global culinary flavors.
As quoted from The Economic Times on Saturday, July 13, 2024, guests were pampered with delicious dishes like soft Rabri, refreshing Lassi, and luxurious delicacies like Caviar served on top of Tiramisu.
There was also a Lassi shop where guests could enjoy famous Sweet and Rabdi Lassi, which has been listed in Taste Atlas as the best milk drink. With such an array of enticing and delicious dishes, it's no wonder that Cavatina restaurant in Goa became a highly sought-after venue for visitors.
The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant became a global sensation. It wasn't just celebrities and famous personalities attending, but also former British Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, futurist Peter Diamandis, artist Jeff Koons, Jay Shetty, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and even former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper were present at the celebration.
Even Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian were seen at this lavish wedding. Photos and videos of Kim Kardashian in Mumbai with Khloe Kardashian have been widely circulated on social media. Not only that, a lineup of Bollywood stars such as Priyanka Chopra and Jonas, Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan with his wife Gauri Khan also became part of this spectacular celebration.
However, all these famous guests were just a small part of the many celebrities present at the four-day wedding party. The Ambani family even rented private jets to transport their guests. Rajan Mehra, CEO of the air charter company Club One Air, revealed that the Ambani family had rented three Falcon-2000 jets from his company to ensure the comfort and luxury of wedding guests.
The wedding celebration of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant indeed became a global highlight with the presence of numerous celebrities and famous personalities. All of this showcased the extravagance of this wedding and underscored the importance of the Ambani family in hosting their guests.
