After months of celebrations, the wedding ceremony of the son of Asia’s richest man is finally under way in the Indian city of Mumbai.
Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, is tying the knot with Radhika Merchant, daughter of pharma tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant.
The four-day wedding extravaganza is the final stop in a string of lavish parties the family has hosted since March.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and former UK PM Tony Blair are among the international guests attending the ceremony.
On Friday, the groom set off from his residence in a luxurious red car covered in strings of white flowers, as joyful guests danced around it.
A convoy of cars, also decorated with flowers and carrying family members, followed him amid music and cheers.
The grand procession, known as the baraat, culminated at the wedding venue – a convention centre owned by the Ambanis.
There, the family gathered for another round of singing and dancing along with several Bollywood celebrities.
Also spotted in the crowd was US wrestler and actor John Cena, who was seen hugging and congratulating relatives of the host.
Report say the bride and the groom will exchange garlands to kick off the wedding. The pheras – the main wedding ritual of the couple walking around the sacred fire seven times – is set for 21:30 (1600GMT).
Key roads in the city are sealed off for several hours a day until the festivities end on Monday.
Social media is awash with updates on the wedding, with people sharing minute-by-minute details of Bollywood stars and celebrities arriving to take part in the festivities.
A formal ceremony where the guests will bless the newly-weds will reportedly take place on Saturday, followed by a grand party where unconfirmed reports say pop stars Drake, Lana Del Ray and Adele are likely to perform.
The months of lavish celebrations have already featured performances by popstars like Rihanna and Justin Bieber.
But it has also led to backlash – city dwellers have complained of traffic snarls, while others have questioned the ostentatious display of wealth at the seemingly never-ending celebrations.
Reports say the family will host a grand reception at the weekend, before a final reception for their household staff on Monday.
Rema performs “Calm Down” at India billionaire’s son’s wedding
Rema has captivated guests at the wedding of Anant Ambani, son of India’s wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani, with a spirited performance of his chart-topping track ‘Calm Down’.
In a latest video that has since gone viral, Rema, known for his infectious beats and energetic stage presence, was seen enthralling attendees at the wedding hall.
The wedding celebration also features performances by other international superstars. Canadian singer Justin Bieber reportedly received $10 million for his performance, while pop icon Rihanna also graced the stage for an undisclosed fee.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are set to marry on July 12 at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
This four-day wedding extravaganza marks the culmination of a series of lavish celebrations hosted by the families since March.
The guest list for the wedding includes a host of high-profile figures such as Kim Kardashian, former UK Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, among others.
Mumbai is abuzz with excitement as the city plays host to one of the most opulent weddings of the year, drawing attention from around the globe.
Culled from BBC