The glitterati of Bollywood gathered in full splendor to partake in the nuptial festivities of Anant Ambani, the scion of the Ambani family, and his fiancée Radhika Merchant. Among the constellation of stars, Sara Ali Khan, accompanied by her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan, took to the spotlight and social platforms to share snapshots from the lavish pre-wedding celebrations that concluded on March 3 with the ‘Hastakshar’ ritual and a grandiose Maha Aarti.
Sara, while sharing the cherished moments on social media, extended her heartfelt appreciation to her grandmother, the venerable Sharmila Tagore. She expressed her gratitude for the ‘loveliest traditional Zardosi gold border’—a sartorial homage to the elegance and regality synonymous with her ‘badi amma.’ The young actress praised the craftsmanship of designer Manish Malhotra (@manishmalhotraworld @manishmalhotra05) for infusing his magic into the traditional attire, enhancing its grandeur.
With a nod to her sibling’s aristocratic charm in attire by @raghavendra.rathore, Sara playfully described herself as a ‘recorder’—presumably candid and expressive. In her thank-you message, Sara also acknowledged the contributions of the creative team behind the scenes, including reputed photographer Rohan Shrestha (@rohanshrestha), makeup artist Adrian Jacobs (@adrianjacobsofficial), and hairstylist Aasif Ahmed (@aasifahmedofficial), underscoring their integral role in her polished appearance.
Spectacles of celebrity engagements were not scarce, as luminaries like Kareena Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Khushi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Katrina Kaif, Mira Rajput, and Genelia D’souza, among others, took to social media to share their attendance at the opulent event.
Footage from the pre-wedding soirée revealed Janhvi Kapoor in tandem with her alleged beau Shikhar Pahariya, both embracing the traditional aesthetic with Janhvi in a resplendent pink saree and Shikhar in a complementary beige sherwani. Signifying their romance, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani arrived in matching white ethnic wear, evocative of their on and off-screen chemistry. And, amid the crowd, Mira Rajput was seen capturing moments with her children, exuding familial joy, whilst Karisma Kapoor engaged in a heartfelt exchange with her future mother-in-law Nita Ambani.
The previous day’s revelries, teeming with energetic dances and star-studded performances, were equally noteworthy. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, who are awaiting their first child, captivated the audience with their dance to “Gallan Goodiyaan” from Ranveer’s film “Dil Dhadakne Do.” Their zest was palpable as they took on dandiya—a traditional dance form—imbuing the night with their vivacious spirit.
A spectacular sight awaited fans as the trio of titans—Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan—joined forces on the dance floor, swaying rhythmically to ‘Naatu Naatu’, a pulsating number that has achieved global acclaim.
These three days of festivities not only celebrated the union of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant but also showcased the camaraderie and pageantry inherent in the Indian film industry. As the stars dressed in their finery and partook in age-old traditions, they crafted a confluence of the contemporary and the cultural, a celebration reflective of India’s rich tapestry of heritage and the modern charm of Bollywood.
