Justin Bieber heads Mumbai wedding gala thrown by Asia’s richest man

REUTERS/Hemanshi Kamani

MUMBAI—Canadian pop star Justin Bieber entertained some of India’s biggest celebrities in the latest installment of monthslong wedding celebrations thrown for the son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani.

Bieber, who shot to prominence as a teenage heartthrob, is among several global celebrities who have jetted into India for the marriage festivities of Ambani’s younger son Anant and fiancee Radhika Merchant.

Anant Ambani, son of businessman Mukesh Ambani, arrives with his fiance Radhika Merchant on the red carpet during the sangeet ceremony at Jio World Centre, Mumbai, India, July 5, 2024. REUTERS/Hemanshi Kamani

He and Merchant, both 29, were childhood friends and are set to marry in a three-day Hindu ceremony beginning on July 12.

Bieber, who flew in from Los Angeles, was pictured at the Mumbai airport Friday morning wearing an oversized pink T-shirt and a bucket hat.

Footage of his concert in the financial hub that night shared on social media showed him performing his 2015 hit “Sorry” in front of hundreds of VIP revelers.

Bollywood star Salman Khan and former India cricket captain MS Dhoni were among the celebrity guests in attendance on Friday.

For how much?

Indian media reports said Bieber was rumored to have been paid up to $10 million for the performance.

Anant Ambani and Merchant have already staged two elaborate and star-studded parties ahead of this month’s main event, including a three-day gala in February in Gujarat state.

Florists decorate billionaire tycoon Mukesh Ambani痴 house ahead of the wedding of his son Anant Ambani to Radhika Merchant, at their residence Antilia in Mumbai on July 3, 2024. Asia’s richest man, billionaire Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, launched on July 2, the start of the lavish finale of his son’s wedding celebrations with mass nuptials for 52 “underprivileged” couples. (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)

There, Rihanna performed her first concert since last year’s Super Bowl for guests including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and former US president Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka.

In June, the couple embarked on a four-day Mediterranean cruise, where singer Katy Perry performed at a masquerade ball at a French chateau in Cannes.

A decorated vehicle rides past Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani’s residence Antilia in Mumbai on July 3, 2024, ahead of the wedding of his son Anant Ambani to Radhika Merchant. Asia’s richest man, billionaire Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, launched on July 2, the start of the lavish finale of his son’s wedding celebrations with mass nuptials for 52 “underprivileged” couples. (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)

The Backstreet Boys, US rapper Pitbull and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli also provided entertainment.

Anant’s billionaire tycoon father is no stranger to throwing a costly wedding.

He held the most expensive wedding in India to date for his daughter in 2018, which reportedly cost $100 million and saw US singer Beyonce perform.

Anant Ambani, son of businessman Mukesh Ambani, poses with his fiance Radhika Merchant on the red carpet during the sangeet ceremony at Jio World Centre, Mumbai, India, July 5, 2024. REUTERS/Hemanshi Kamani

11th richest in the world

Ambani, 67, the chairperson of Reliance Industries, has a fortune of more than $113 billion, the 11th wealthiest person in the world, according to the Forbes billionaires list.

He is also a key ally of India’s right-wing Hindu nationalist leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ambani inherited a thriving industrial enterprise spanning oil, gas and petrochemicals.

He grew it into a commercial behemoth with lucrative interests in retail, telecommunications and an Indian Premier League cricket team.

Merchant is the daughter of prominent pharmaceutical moguls.

AFP

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