New Delhi: The Ambani family is gearing up for another lavish celebration as Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, is set to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend Radhika Merchant. The couple, who have been dating for over six years, will host a 3-day long pre-wedding function in Gujarat, where they will be joined by their close friends and family, as well as some of the biggest stars of Bollywood.
The Pre-Wedding Bash
According to sources, the pre-wedding bash will take place from March 1 to March 3 in Jamnagar, the hometown of Mukesh Ambani. The venue is expected to be the Reliance Greens, a sprawling complex that houses a golf course, a cricket stadium, a hospital, a school, and a temple. The guests will be treated to a variety of cuisines, entertainment, and cultural activities, reflecting the rich heritage and diversity of India.
Some of the celebrities who are likely to attend the event are Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Sachin Tendulkar, Shreya Ghoshal, Rajkumar Hirani, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. They have all been associated with the Ambani family in the past, either as friends or as collaborators. The event will also showcase the talents of some of the emerging artists and performers from the country.
The Engagement and the Wedding
The pre-wedding bash comes almost one year after the official engagement of Anant and Radhika, which was held at the Ambani family home ‘Antilia’ in Mumbai on January 19, 2023. The engagement ceremony, also known as Gol Dhana, was a traditional affair that involved the exchange of rings and blessings from the elders. The couple looked stunning in their matching outfits, designed by Manish Malhotra. Anant wore a cream sherwani with gold embroidery, while Radhika wore a pink lehenga with floral motifs.
The engagement was preceded by a roka ceremony, which is a formal announcement of the marriage, at the Shrinathji temple located in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, in December 2022. The temple is considered to be very auspicious by the Ambani family, as it is dedicated to Lord Krishna, their patron deity. The roka ceremony was attended by the close relatives of both the families, who offered prayers and gifts to the couple.
The wedding date of Anant and Radhika has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be sometime in the second half of 2024. The wedding will likely be a grand affair, similar to the weddings of Anant’s siblings, Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani, who got married in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Isha married Anand Piramal, the son of industrialist Ajit Piramal, while Akash married Shloka Mehta, the daughter of diamond magnate Russell Mehta.
The Love Story
Anant and Radhika have a love story that began as childhood friends. They met through their parents, who are mutual friends and grew up together. They attended the same school, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, in Mumbai, where they developed a close bond. Their relationship came to light in the year 2018, when a photo of them holding hands went viral on social media. The photo was taken at the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the Ambani residence, where Radhika was seen wearing a traditional saree.
Since then, Radhika has been a constant presence in the special events of the Ambani family. She was seen at Isha’s wedding in Udaipur and Mumbai, where she performed a dance with Anant and other family members. She was also seen at Akash’s wedding in Mumbai and Switzerland, where she joined the festivities and posed for pictures with the newlyweds. She has also accompanied Anant to various public events, such as the Reliance AGM, the Jio MAMI Film Festival, and the Narendra Modi Stadium inauguration.
Anant and Radhika have also supported each other in their personal and professional endeavors. Anant, who has completed his studies at Brown University, America, has been working in different positions in Reliance Industries. He has been a member of Jio Platforms and Reliance Retail Ventures. He is currently handling the energy business of ‘RIL’. He is also passionate about sports and fitness and has undergone a remarkable transformation by losing over 100 kgs in 18 months.
Radhika, the daughter of Shaila and Viren Merchant, has graduated from New York University. She is working as a Director in Encore Healthcare, a company founded by her father, who is the CEO of Equirus Capital. She is also a skilled Indian classical dancer and has performed at various events and platforms. She is known for her elegance, grace, and simplicity, and has a keen interest in art, culture, and philanthropy.
