Not too long ago, the wedding of Isha Ambani, the daughter of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, was considered one of the most extravagant Indian weddings of all time with a cost of 7 billion rupees.
Spread across Udaipur in India, Lake Como in Italy and the Ambani home in Mumbai, the lavish 2018 wedding even included a performance by Beyonce.
But the wedding celebration of Isha's brother Anant to Radhika Merchant, the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, seems to have eclipsed that many times over. Beginning in January last year, several pre-wedding celebrations have included eye-popping parties spanning continents, an European cruise party and a roster of international performers that would rival any respectable music festival, from Rihanna to Katy Perry and the Backstreet Boys.
It all culminates next week when Anant and Radhika finally tie the knot at a three-day celebration at the Jio World Centre, a 7.4 hectare business and cultural district in Mumbai owned by the Ambani family's Reliance Industries.
Here's a timeline of events in the Ambani wedding, starting with the engagement party.
The engagement: December 29, 2022
Anant and Radhika got engaged at a temple in Rajasthan in December 2022, surrounded by only family members and close friends.
“Anant and Radhika have known each other for a few years and today’s ceremony commences the formal journey of their marriage in the coming months," Mukesh and his wife Nita Ambani said then. "Both families seek the blessings and good wishes of everyone for Radhika and Anant as they start their journey of togetherness."
The mehendi ceremony: January 18, 2023
Celebrations finally began on January 18 with a mehendi ceremony. A pre-wedding celebration where henna is applied on the bride's hands and feet and on the hands of female members of the bride and groom's families, the event featured plenty of songs and dances. Videos from the ceremony showed Radhika dancing to the Bollywood song Ghar More Pardesiya from the film Kalank.
Pink was the predominant colour of the night as Merchant wore a custom-made fuchsia lehenga by Indian designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.
“Radhika Merchant is the picture of romantic bliss in this custom-made multicolour resham lehenga embroidered with floral booties and mirrors at her mehendi ceremony,” the designers shared on Instagram.
The engagement party: January 19, 2023
Following the mehendi ceremony, the Ambanis hosted a glittering party on January 19 at their Dh3.6 billion home Antilia in Mumbai.
Anant and Radhika dressed in their traditional best and greeted and posed for photographers. They were soon joined by the rest of the Ambani family – parents Mukesh and Nita; sister Isha and her husband Anand; and brother Akash and his wife Shloka.
A number of Bollywood stars were also in attendance, dressed in traditional outfits. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone added to the glamour while Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan arrived with her son Aryan Khan as a plus one. Shah Rukh, who was then on a promotional tour for his film Pathaan, was also at the party but kept a low profile.
Other stars who attended include Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Karan Johar. Actor Arjun Kapoor arrived with his father, producer Boney Kapoor, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's date for the night was her daughter Aaradhya, 11.
The pre-wedding party: March 1 to 3, 2024
While Anant and Radhika were spotted together at various events following their engagement, including the star-studded opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in April last year, it would be almost a year before their wedding celebrations began.
And the headline-grabbing pre-wedding party in Jamnagar, Gujarat, kicked things off a notch.
Spread over three themed days, the guest list included a who's-who of Bollywood, business leaders, Indian cricketers, politicians and business tycoons.
Featuring choreographed Bollywood-style stage productions, massive fireworks and several themed parties, the pre-wedding event alone is rumoured to have cost more than 12 billion rupees ($144 million), according to India's Financial Express.
UAE businessman and Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabaar with his wife, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner as well as Bill Gates and girlfriend Paula Hurd were some of the guests seen arriving at the airport in Jamnagar, a city on the west coast of India.
Performers at the event included Rihanna, who has been on a musical hiatus since 2016 to focus on other projects as well as raising her two children with rapper A$AP Rocky, and Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh.
The event was crafted by ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who also dressed the Ambani family and a number of A-list guests.
European cruise party: May 29 - June 1, 2024
The talk of their eye-popping pre-wedding celebration had barely died down, when the Ambanis set off again on a four-day European jaunt, with top Bollywood stars in tow.
While a strict no-phones policy was reportedly in place, videos shared on social media showed performances by the Backstreet Boys and David Guetta aboard a chartered luxury cruise ship.
“It was a retreat for the people that have contributed to our life in different ways,” Radhika told Vogue India of the event.
The 1,200-person guest list included friends and family as well as employees at the Ambani's Reliance Industries, the Merchant family's Encore Healthcare.
The cruise began in Palermo, Sicily and sailed up the Italian coast to Rome. Then on the third day, it stopped at Cannes for a masquerade ball at Chateau de la Croix des Gardes. Perry performed that night, ending the evening with her hit Firework as fireworks lit up the sky.
Pitbull also performed aboard the ship on one of the nights.
The final event was held in Portofino where the Ambanis took over the main square. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli performed at the event.
The sangeet: July 5, 2024
A pre-wedding ceremony, which literally translates to "music", sangeet is a musical night where the bride and groom's sides perform dance numbers and take part in friendly competitions.
Justin Bieber performed at the ceremony held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. The theme of the night was “a celebration of hearts”, with a dress code of “Indian regional glam”. Other performers included Indian rappers Badshah and Karan Aujla, as well as Indian playback singer Stebin Ben.
Bollywood A-listers and cricket stars were also in attendance. The bride and groom made a stunning debut with outfits made with real gold and crystals by the fashion duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Anant wore a royal-blue embroidered bandhgala suit, with zari threading made with real gold, while Radhika glittered in a glitzy golden traditional lehenga. Inspired by a chandelier, the outfit displayed a beautiful array of pastel colours. The ensemble featured an off-shoulder crystal statement blouse paired with a multi-paneled lehenga skirt, both adorned with Swarovski crystals.
The main wedding: July 12 - 14, 2024
The Jio World Centre at the heart of Mumbai will be the venue for the main wedding, with celebrations set to begin on July 12.
According to the invitation, the three-day celebration will begin with the “shubh vivaah” or auspicious wedding, with the dress code listed as “Indian traditional”.
This will be followed by “shubh aashirdwad” (the latter word means blessings) on July 13, with guests expected to be dressed in “Indian formal”.
Celebrations will culminate in “mangal utsav” or the wedding reception on July 14 with “Indian chic” being the dress code.
Who's performed at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding?
Rihanna was first up with a rare performance of some of her biggest hits at the pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar.
Matching the “elegant cocktail" dress code, she wore a fluorescent green gown by Italian label The Attico.
“I’m here tonight in honour of Anant and Radhika, thank you for having me here. God bless your union, I wish you all the best, congratulations,” she said as she took the stage.
She added: “How many of you believe in love?” before performing her 2011 hit track We Found Love.
Other hits she performed include Diamonds, Work and Wild Thoughts, showcasing the success of her career that has produced eight albums and helped her win nine Grammys.
Dosanjh, a movie and music star, also performed at Jamnagar. Meanwhile, performers on the chartered luxury cruise ship on the Ambani's European cruise include Backstreet Boys, Pitbull and Guetta.
Perry performed at a private chateau in Cannes, while Italian singer Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli performed in Portofino.
“It was just the most magical evening,” Radhika told Vogue India. “I had goosebumps.”
Back in Mumbai, Bieber gave an energetic performance at the sangeet. Wearing a white jacket with a white tank top underneath, baggy pants, black boots and backwards hat, he took to the stage to perform some of his biggest career hits such as What Do You Mean?, Boyfriend, Baby and Love Yourself.
Videos on social media show the Canadian pop star dancing and singing while guests are on their feet grooving along.
Later, Indian rappers Badshah and Karan Aujla took the stage along with Indian playback singer Stebin Ben.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Book%20Details
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
More on Turkey's Syria offence
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
The 12
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
