Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's youngest son, Anant, 29, has recently married his longtime girlfriend, Radhika Merchant, 29, in a star-studded ceremony in Mumbai. The extravagant wedding, organized by Ambani's conglomerate, Reliance, has been dominating headlines both in India and beyond.

Reliance made extensive use of social media to promote the high-profile event, attracting significant public interest. Alongside the company's efforts, numerous Bollywood stars and media organizations have further fueled the excitement, overshadowing some critical social media posts that have questioned the opulence of the affair against the backdrop of growing inequality in India.

The lavish ceremony, attended by celebrities and politicians from around the world, has been deemed a "powerful symbol of India's growing stature on the global stage" by an unnamed executive at Reliance. The guest list reportedly includes individuals such as Kim Kardashian, Mike Tyson, Tony Blair, and Boris Johnson.

In the lead-up to the wedding, Reliance hosted several celebratory receptions, and the festivities are expected to continue for three more days. While the exact expenditure remains undisclosed, Ambani's reputation for extravagant parties, often featuring international artists and Bollywood celebrities, suggests that this may be his most lavish gala yet.

Critics, such as opposition politician Thomas Isaac, have labeled the spending associated with the wedding as "obscene." Isaac argues that such ostentation goes against the interests of the environment and the less fortunate.

The wedding has prompted traffic restrictions in Mumbai's key business district for four days, drawing further ire from the public. With limited access and closely guarded details, Reliance has relied on its official Facebook page, boasting 2.3 million followers, to disseminate information. By sharing video clips and photographs, the account provided glimpses into the private celebrations, generating significant engagement and showcasing the festivities.

Media access to the wedding venue was tightly controlled on Friday night, with only a limited number of photographers and TV crews permitted to capture the arrivals of guests. Onlookers braved the rain outside the venue, some capturing the moment on camera, while the joyful sounds of Bollywood music reverberated from inside.

To ensure privacy, it has been reported that the function organizers will likely apply tape on the phone cameras of entering guests, prohibiting them from taking pictures. These measures reflect the level of secrecy usually associated with Ambani's celebrations.

The wedding events commenced in March with a three-day pre-wedding party attended by 1,200 guests and featuring a performance by global superstar Rihanna. This was followed by a luxurious European cruise in May, with 800 guests in attendance. Bollywood actresses shared photos on Instagram from the cruise, adorned in luxury designer labels, further amplifying public interest.

The Ambani wedding has captured the attention of Indian TV news channels, who are closely tracking the event minute by minute. As the celebrations continue, the extravagant affair stands as a stark emblem of Mukesh Ambani's opulent lifestyle and the elite social circles that surround him, even as it sparks debate about wealth disparities and environmental consciousness.

This high-profile union serves as a reminder of the extravagant excesses in certain sections of society, while also symbolizing India's emerging status on the global stage.