JAMNAGAR, India (AP) — This may be the biggest party this small western Indian city has ever seen. As a billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani As he prepares for his son's wedding this summer, he expects billionaires from around the world, heads of state, and Hollywood and Bollywood royalty to attend the three-day bash in the family's hometown, starting Friday.
The guest list of nearly 1,200 people includes Bill Gates, Mark ZuckerbergSundar Pichai and Ivanka Trump; Indian billionaires Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla; Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar; And Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji.
They will be entertained by pop star Rihanna, magician David Blaine and famous Bollywood singers.
The ceremony will be held in Jamnagar, a city with a population of about 600,000 people and located in a semi-desert area in the state of Gujarat. It is the birthplace of the family, and home to the main oil refinery of their business empire, Reliance Industries. There will also be traditional celebrations in the temple complex.
On Wednesday, the Ambani family organized a community food service for 51,000 people living in nearby villages.
Anant Ambani, 28, is set to marry his longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant in July. Merchant is the daughter of Viren Merchant, CEO of Encore Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., and entrepreneur Sheila Merchant.
The three-day pre-wedding party provides a glimpse into the extravagance expected at the wedding itself.
Guests will dress up in jungle-themed outfits to visit the animal rescue center run by Anant Ambani. Known as Vantara, meaning “forest star,” the 3,000-acre (1,200 hectare) center houses abused, injured and endangered animals, especially elephants.
Guests will start each day with a new dress code, the invitation says, with mood boards and an army of hairstylists, makeup artists and Indian wear designers at their hotel to help them get ready.
Forbes magazine ranks Mukesh Ambani as the richest person in Asia. Reliance Industries is a huge conglomerate with annual revenues of $100 billion and interests ranging from oil and gas to telecommunications and retail.
66-year-old Mukesh Ambani has begun handing over leadership to his sons and daughter. Elder son Akash is now the chairman of Reliance Jio; Daughter Isha supervises retail; Younger son Anant was introduced into the new energy field.
The guest list also includes Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar; Stephen Harper, former Canadian Prime Minister; The King and Queen of Bhutan.
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Sharma reported from New Delhi.
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