Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber dazzled an exclusive crowd in Mumbai this past Friday, adding international flair to the ongoing wedding celebrations of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, and his fiancée Radhika Merchant. 

The couple, who have known each other since childhood, are preparing for their upcoming nuptials with a series of grand events, culminating in a three-day Hindu ceremony set to begin on July 12. Bieber, arriving from Los Angeles, was spotted at Mumbai airport donning an oversized pink T-shirt and bucket hat.  

Later that evening, he performed his hit song “Sorry” to a VIP audience that included Bollywood icon Salman Khan and cricket legend M.S. Dhoni. Rumors swirl that the pop star may have earned up to US$10 million for his performance, significantly more than his usual fee range of $2.5 million to $6 million for private events. The wedding festivities for Anant and Radhika have been nothing short of spectacular, with previous events featuring global stars like Rihanna and Katy Perry.  

The February gala saw performances in Gujarat before a Mediterranean cruise in June, graced by the likes of the Backstreet Boys and Andrea Bocelli. Mukesh Ambani, who commands a vast empire in sectors ranging from oil to telecommunications, is known for his lavish celebrations. He previously hosted India’s most expensive wedding for his daughter in 2018, a US$100 million affair with a performance by Beyoncé. 

As anticipation builds for the main event, the celebrations continue to highlight the Ambani family’s influence and penchant for grandeur, making this wedding a landmark social event of the year. The pre-wedding celebrations will spill over next week, with reports suggesting that rapper Drake and singers Adelle and Lana Del Rey will be in India to perform at the pre-wedding ceremonies. 

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding festivities will commence with a Grah Shanti puja scheduled for July 8, followed by a celebration in their honor on July 10. The main wedding ceremony is set for July 12, 2024, at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex, where guests are expected to wear traditional Indian attire. A Shubh Aashirwad ceremony follows on July 13 with an Indian formal dress code. The grand Mangal Utsav wedding reception, themed as Indian chic, will be hosted by the couple on July 14.