Dawn Images

Billionaires from around the world, top Silicon Valley executives, heads of state, and Hollywood and Bollywood royalty descended in the western Indian town of Jamnagar on Friday to attend the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani — Asia’s richest man.

The three-day pre-wedding celebrations are in keeping with the Ambani family’s record of hosting lavish parties. The wedding isn’t until July 12.

Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates were among the star guests at the gala hosted by the Reliance Industries chairman. Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and Saif Ali Khan, among several others, also graced the occasion.

But amid a host of stars and billionaires, Rihanna — who was called in to perform on the first day of the festivities — shined the brightest.

Rihanna performs for and with the Ambanis

The first day featured a thrilling performance by Rihanna in what appeared to be a huge concert, with photos and videos quickly spreading across social media. One viral clip showed her and the bride-to-be, Radhika, sharing the stage. The video also captured Radhika jumping with joy and receiving a hug from the singer.

The entire Ambani family joined the singer on stage, with Anant Ambani tapping his feet and Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani, and Shloka Mehta cheering along.

Rihanna and Jahnvi shake a leg

In the holy grail of crossovers, Bollywood starlet Jahnvi Kapoor shared a video of herself shaking a leg with Bad Gal Riri, or shall we say, twerking the night away.

Rihanna spreads joy to all

The ‘Diamonds’ singer not only made everyone’s night at the Ambani celebrations, she also made everyone’s day before heading to the event. At the airport, she was captured posing with police personnel, her fans, as well as the paparazzi.

But while our love for Riri is never-ending, here are all the other highlights from the pre-wedding festivities:

B-town divas dress to the nines

Bollywood divas were spotted at the occasion in their best fits. Kiara Advani embraced the cocktail theme in a sleek black leather bodycon gown accentuated with intricate 3D floral embellishments.

Deepika Padukone opted for a classic black vintage dress from Gauri and Nainika, radiating elegance with subtle accessories and a delightful bow.

Alia Bhatt dazzled in a shimmering off-shoulder ensemble adorned with intricate embellishments, while Kareena Kapoor epitomised sophistication in a mauve saree paired with a matching blouse.

Spotted: Mark Zuckerberg and Ivanka Trump

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan arrived in Jamnagar on Thursday. Later on Instagram, Zuckerberg extended his congratulations to Anant and Radhika and expressed his fondness for Indian weddings.

He took to IG once again on Saturday to update his followers. Posting a picture alongside his wife, Priscilla, Zuckerberg wrote in the caption, “It’s getting wild out here.”

Former first daughter Ivanka Trump also shared glimpses of herself and her family from the pre-wedding festivities on Instagram. Looking stunning in a stunning gold and silver sari, she wrote, “First night in India — a magical evening in Everland! Sending warm wishes to Anant and Radhika Merchant for endless happiness and love as they embark on this wonderful adventure together.”

Stunning decor — courtesy Nita Ambani

The pre-wedding bash venue featured top-tier decor with a soulful ambiance highlighted by flowers. The venue boasted a large statement fountain, complemented by high-rise windows and a tall glass ceiling. Intricate wall paintings, including peacock and butterfly motifs, added an Indian essence, while grand chandeliers illuminated the space.

Pastel-coloured flowers adorned every corner, creating a Victorian wedding ambiance. Unique door handles with Ganesha’s face added a regal touch to the venue’s decor.

Some 1,200 guests are attending the pre-wedding party. The Ambanis organised the three-day affair for guests to enjoy a lavish gala with over 2,500 dishes cooked by a team of 65 chefs, as per the Independent.

“The guest list appears to have more RSVPs from global corporate titans than the weddings of Mr Ambani’s two older children in 2018 and 2019, underscoring Reliance’s growing clout and role as a conduit to the Indian economy for global tech, media and energy giants,” Bloomberg wrote.