As soon as a video leaked of Rihanna arriving in India went viral on X, it seemed like every news outlet—and person—in the world was talking about the “pre-wedding” weekend of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. There was the guest list, for starters: Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Karlie Kloss all attended. Then the fashion: On the first night, Radhika wore a custom Versace gown similar to the one worn by Blake Lively for the 2022 Met Gala. Add in a performance by the “Diamonds” singer—and, well, you had an internet phenomenon.
Anant Ambani, who leads the energy vertical at his family’s company Reliance Industries, and Radhika, who serves as a marketing director at her family’s company, Encore Healthcare, were introduced by mutual friends during a leisurely drive in 2017. “That first meeting just sparked something special between us, and it wasn’t long before we started dating,” Radhika tells Vogue.
In 2023, Anant proposed to Radhika at the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, a holy Hindu site on the banks of the Banas River. Following their formal engagement ceremony, they held a dinner with their parents, grandparents, and siblings. It was just the first of many celebrations: When they returned to Antilla, extended family and friends were waiting for a surprise engagement party. “It was, unquestionably, the best night of my life,” Radhika says.
Nearly a year later, Radhika and Anant threw their now famous three-day pre-wedding weekend and hastakshar at the Ambanis’ home in Jamnagar, Gujarat. “Choosing Jamnagar was our way of honoring our roots and the family’s legacy,” Radhika says. “It’s the place where Anant works and where we spend much of our time, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is also where Anant’s grandmother, Kokilaben, was born and truly where our heart is.” Within the 750-acre compound is a mango orchard as well as Vantara, Anant’s animal sanctuary. (Currently, the couple is working to open Vantara to the public. “Anant and I both believe that this is our karma bhoomi, or land of duty,” says Radhika.)
Their pre-wedding took three months to plan. Anant’s mother, Nita Mukesh Ambani, executed the affair with the Indian designer Manish Malhotra as the creative director. “Nita and Manish’s meticulous planning and execution round the clock brought the event to life,” Radhika says. “I cannot emphasize enough that no one else could have created something like this—both in scale and on such a tight time frame.” Anant’s sister Isha and sister-in-law Shloka also supported their mother and future sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Radhika asked Rhea Kapoor to serve as her head stylist.vent the bow by incorporating a drape around the shoulders for a geometric contrast of gold and silver against cool blue.” The ghagra was embellished with Swarovski crystals, and Radhika complemented the outfit with more jewels by Kantilal Chhotalal. David Blaine did magic tricks for the crowd, and there were a number of family dances. Then, Diljit Dosanjh took the stage. Radhika then changed into her second look by Malhotra. “Malhotra, a true master of innovation, actually spent six months developing a mesh, or jaal, from a thin sheet of metal for a modern twist on the traditional dupatta,” she says.
As soon as a video leaked of Rihanna arriving in India went viral on X, it seemed like every news outlet—and person—in the world was talking about the “pre-wedding” weekend of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. There was the guest list, for starters: Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Karlie Kloss all attended. Then the fashion: On the first night, Radhika wore a custom Versace gown similar to the one worn by Blake Lively for the 2022 Met Gala. Add in a performance by the “Diamonds” singer—and, well, you had an internet phenomenon.
Anant Ambani, who leads the energy vertical at his family’s company Reliance Industries, and Radhika, who serves as a marketing director at her family’s company, Encore Healthcare, were introduced by mutual friends during a leisurely drive in 2017. “That first meeting just sparked something special between us, and it wasn’t long before we started dating,” Radhika tells Vogue.
In 2023, Anant proposed to Radhika at the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, a holy Hindu site on the banks of the Banas River. Following their formal engagement ceremony, they held a dinner with their parents, grandparents, and siblings. It was just the first of many celebrations: When they returned to Antilla, extended family and friends were waiting for a surprise engagement party. “It was, unquestionably, the best night of my life,” Radhika says.
Nearly a year later, Radhika and Anant threw their now famous three-day pre-wedding weekend and hastakshar at the Ambanis’ home in Jamnagar, Gujarat. “Choosing Jamnagar was our way of honoring our roots and the family’s legacy,” Radhika says. “It’s the place where Anant works and where we spend much of our time, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is also where Anant’s grandmother, Kokilaben, was born and truly where our heart is.” Within the 750-acre compound is a mango orchard as well as Vantara, Anant’s animal sanctuary. (Currently, the couple is working to open Vantara to the public. “Anant and I both believe that this is our karma bhoomi, or land of duty,” says Radhika.)
Their pre-wedding took three months to plan. Anant’s mother, Nita Mukesh Ambani, executed the affair with the Indian designer Manish Malhotra as the creative director. “Nita and Manish’s meticulous planning and execution round the clock brought the event to life,” Radhika says. “I cannot emphasize enough that no one else could have created something like this—both in scale and on such a tight time frame.” Anant’s sister Isha and sister-in-law Shloka also supported their mother and future sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Radhika asked Rhea Kapoor to serve as her head stylist.vent the bow by incorporating a drape around the shoulders for a geometric contrast of gold and silver against cool blue.” The ghagra was embellished with Swarovski crystals, and Radhika complemented the outfit with more jewels by Kantilal Chhotalal. David Blaine did magic tricks for the crowd, and there were a number of family dances. Then, Diljit Dosanjh took the stage. Radhika then changed into her second look by Malhotra. “Malhotra, a true master of innovation, actually spent six months developing a mesh, or jaal, from a thin sheet of metal for a modern twist on the traditional dupatta,” she says.
Photo: 
