The Ambani wedding was as much an event for Anant and Radhika as much as my wedding was a ceremony for me and my wife. Like every Indian custom, it was hijacked by the parents – the one group of people who are above any reproach in this country. For them, it was a show of strength. It was them saying “Hey you know what, there may be families as rich as us, and may have more prestige and history than we do, but no one is as powerful and influential as we are.” From the Prime Minister to almost all his arch nemeses, Indian political leaders of all colours graced the event with their nonchalant presence. It was truly a beautiful sight, overshadowed only by Aishwarya Rai’s elegance.
While most of us look up at the sky to spot some stars through the smog of pollution that has blanketed our cities, the Ambanis just look at their phones. One call and luminaries of every field, from across the world, were ready to attend and promote the union of these two eminent families. Even Sam Altman’s creation wouldn’t have conjured up the image of Mamata Didi and Kim Kardashian hobnobbing together in Mumbai at the same event. Such is the might of Mukesh Bhai. The event attendee list screamed power. And signalled much more that would be visible to those who would merely try. And not get hypnotized by Deepika’s presence, Priyanka’s dance moves and Ranveer’s usual hyperactivity.
What this wedding also did, is that it told everyone in India and abroad, that the children of Mukesh Ambani are ready to take over Reliance and they are every bit as qualified as their grandfather and their father. This event is part of an elaborate succession plan that has been playing out for a few years now. The patriarch of the Ambani family decided there was no better way to announce to the world that his kids were now spearheading this empire and wouldn’t be confined to the geography of India. It will merely be a base of operations.
He is thinking 50-100 years ahead and he knows that when the Indian growth story is being written, Reliance Industries and the Ambani name should be the first ones to be written. In the last 100 years, the first name that came to everyone was Tata. He is out there to erase them from the top spot in every Indian’s mind when it comes to matters of wealth and business success. It is difficult not to think there’s at least some personal ambition at play here. A businessman as astute as him won’t burn millions of dollars to feed an Instagram frenzy. I still can’t erase the sight of FIFA President Giovani Infantino being forced to do the Bhangra by the uber-talented Arjun Kapoor.
Some people are calling this wedding a disgusting show of wealth in a country which is so poor. I would concede that while there is some credence to this argument, it is baseless and not bound to logical scrutiny. One can look at the celebrations and feel it’s a bit on the nose but then what do we do when people can’t afford to buy a car, do we stop all car production in this country? Or do we empower them to dream big follow their ambition and make a claim for the success story of this country’s economic growth? Most people can’t afford petrol, do we stop ISRO’s funding? Two things can exist at the same time.
Our current jobless economic growth will turn the tide only with the help of private players like Ambani, Adani, Tata and Birla and I hope many more such industrial powerhouses. India needs capitalism to get out of the malaise of extreme poverty and we have done a good job so far. However, to become a middle-income country and reach a per capita income of $15,000 annually, we need newer ideas and a better attitude. Look, I am not a big fan of the Ambanis. I am just a fan of India prospering and returning to the top of the world, where we belong. We couldn’t win the World Cup without Bumrah. And we can’t achieve this without the Ambanis.
You can hate billionaires and pray for a revolution. But even if this sick fantasy does take place in India, the first people to be hunted will be the middle class. The uber-rich will be sipping on cocktails on some Pacific island with 9G internet while you will bargain with the mob for your life. The gap between the Indian middle class and Ambani is only that of money and power. The gap between the poor and middle class is that of dignity and hope. People working and living near the slums of Bandra and Andheri would do well to remember that before cosplaying as American campus activists online.
On another note, stop being the voyeuristic aunties we all hated growing up. Get a life. Why do you care about this PR-fueled spectacle? Some folks are criticizing Mukesh Ambani for organizing such an extravagant event because he has the power and stature to influence people. If you are honestly looking at Mukesh Ambani and thinking I should also do what Mukesh Ambani is doing you are the biggest idiot of all time. At the end of the day, I’ll just say just chill out, relax and have a nice time because those people about who you are commenting so fervently about, are not even aware of your existence.
Go have a cup of tea. It’s monsoon. Feel the raindrops. Look up at the sky at night. If the clouds oblige and the pollution takes some time off, you might just spot some real stars.
Pol Ke Bol! 