Billionaire Heir Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's Glitzy Wedding Celebrations Kick Off in Mumbai!

Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra and John Cena were among the stars in attendance for day one of the lavish celebration

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani attend the launch of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on April 01, 2023 in Mumbai, India
Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani attend the launch of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on April 01, 2023 in Mumbai, India. Photo:

Prodip Guha/Getty

Let the festivities begin! 

Billionaire heir Anant Ambani and his fiancée Radhika Merchant are set to tie the knot at Jio World Centre in Mumbai, India, on Friday, July 12, kicking off a lavish multi-day affair to celebrate their nuptials. 

According to The Times of India, the celebration will follow traditional Hindu and Gujarati rituals. The event is set to take place over three days. Ambani, 29, is the heir and youngest son of billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani. Mukesh has an estimated net worth of around $116 billion, according to Forbes. Merchant, 29, is the daughter of pharmaceutical tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant.

In a video posted on Instagram by Nick Jonas, the singer and Priyanka Chopra could be seen decked out in dancing in the car on their way to the festivities. "C’mon Barbie… #AnantandRadhika" he captioned the post.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas (L) and her husband American singer-songwriter and actor Nick Jonas (R) pose for photos as they arrive to attend the wedding ceremony of billionaire tycoon and Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai o
Priyanka Chopra Jonas (L) and her husband American singer-songwriter and actor Nick Jonas (R) pose for photos as they arrive to attend the wedding ceremony of billionaire tycoon and Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai.

SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty

Kim Kardashian also posted her arrival in India with Khloe Kardashian on Instagram Stories as she was welcomed with bouquets of flowers.

According to the invitation, the July 12 festivities will include Baraat Assembly and Safa Tying followed by Milni and Varmala and Lagna Vidhi, followed on July 13 by the 'Shubh Aashirwad'.

July 14 will see the grand reception, "Mangal Utsav" which will be attended by the couple’s guests and family members. The event signifies "marking the beginning of the couple's new life together," explained The Times of India

Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani Attend The Lagna Vidhi Of The Wedding Of Anant Ambani(L) & Radhika Merchant
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani Attend The Lagna Vidhi Of The Wedding Of Anant Ambani(L) & Radhika Merchant.

Prodip Guha/Getty 

Ahead of the wedding, on Monday, June 8, Ambani and Merchant took part in a pre-wedding ritual called a haldi ceremony, CNN reported. The traditional event sees loved ones applying a turmeric paste to the couple as a form of blessing.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The pair has been building anticipation for their big day with a series of extravagant events.

In March, Ambani and Merchant hosted a three-day, pre-wedding event in Gujarat’s Jamnagar in India which saw a performance from Rihanna, who arrived at the event with A$AP Rocky.

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant wedding in Mumbai
Kim Kardashian in India ahead of Anant Ambani's wedding.

Kim Kardashian/Instagram

In videos circulating online after the performance, Rihanna could be seen performing her hits “Work,” “B---- Better Have My Money” and “All of the Lights.”

During the show, she gave a shout-out to the couple before performing “We Found Love.”

In a TikTok video posted by a fan, Rihanna was captured telling the party guests, "We’re here tonight in honor of Anant. Thank you for having me here. God bless your union. I wish you all the best. Congratulations."

John Cena gestures as he arrives to attend the wedding ceremony of billionaire tycoon and Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai on July 12, 2024
John Cena gestures as he arrives to attend the wedding ceremony of billionaire tycoon and Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai on July 12, 2024.

SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty

The event also included a visit to the Ambanis' animal rescue, an array of activities at a "Mela Rouge" fete and a "tusker trails" event where guests mingled with elephants, reptiles and big cats before concluding with an elegant affair featuring a "Heritage Indian" dress code.

Roughly 1,200 guests attended the three-day event, per an early report from Reuters

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

The couple then set sail on a multi-day cruise in May with loved ones, starting in Palermo, Italy. Vogue reported that the four-day cruise – which saw performances by Katy Perry and Pitbull – welcomed roughly 1200 guests and made several stops throughout the Mediterranean. 

Merchant told the outlet that the cruise was "a retreat for the people that have contributed to our life in different ways."

Related Articles