By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
Justin Bieber recently became the latest international star to perform at a pre wedding celebration for Anant Ambani, the son of India’s wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, and his bride to be, Radhika Merchant. The Canadian singer's performance in Mumbai over the weekend followed an impressive series of events featuring global celebrities.
The couple's first pre wedding party featured Rihanna, and their second a cruise around the Mediterranean had performances by 90s teen idols The Backstreet Boys, singer Katy Perry, and renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Speculation is rife about who will perform at the actual wedding this weekend, with rumors suggesting Adele might make an appearance. However, the Ambani family has remained tight lipped about the details.
The Ambani family, led by Mukesh Ambani with an estimated net worth of $115 billion according to Forbes, has spared no expense in celebrating Anant and Radhika's nuptials. The festivities are outshining even the most extravagant Indian weddings, including that of Ambani's daughter, which featured a headline grabbing performance by Beyoncé.
Last weekend, Anant and Radhika celebrated their sangeet ceremony, a traditional night of music and dance preceding the wedding ceremony. True to form, the Ambanis exceeded expectations, with Mukesh Ambani and his family performing a choreographed dance to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s hit song "Deewangi Deewangi." The event also showcased India's most glamorous stars in dresses by the country’s top fashion designers, turning the pre wedding events into impromptu fashion shows shared widely on social media.
While the exact costs of the pre wedding events remain undisclosed, reports suggest Rihanna was paid $7 million for her performance, and Bieber's fee is rumored to be $10 million. The anticipation builds as the three day wedding event approaches, with some in India relieved to see the extravagance come to an end, while Mumbai residents hope it doesn't worsen the city's notorious traffic.
In an interview with Vogue US last month, Radhika Merchant expressed her excitement about the wedding, stating that planning was "going great." As the world watches, the Ambani wedding continues to captivate global attention.
