Rs 5000000000, 110 cuisines, 11000 guests: India’s most expensive wedding was hosted by…,not Mukesh Ambani, Reddys, venue was…
Indian “big fat weddings” are renowned across the world for their grandeur, elaborate rituals, and large guest lists. These multi-day affairs are more than just a union of two individuals — they’re a cultural spectacle, often featuring elaborate pre-wedding functions such as mehendi, sangeet, haldi, and engagement ceremonies, followed by the main wedding and reception. A wedding that stunned the nation with its scale and opulence — held 21 years ago, this grand celebration reportedly cost more than Rs 500 crore, a jaw-dropping figure even by today’s standards.
In February 2004, business tycoon Subrata Roy, founder and chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, orchestrated a grand double wedding for his sons, Sushanto and Seemanto Roy. With a reported cost of over Rs 500 crore, the event captured everyone’s attention.
Rs 5000000000, 110 cuisines, 11000 guests: India’s most expensive wedding was hosted by…,not Mukesh Ambani, Reddys, venue was…
Conducted for over six days, this grand shadi celebration hosted over 11,000 attendees, including a glittering mix of politicians, film stars, industrialists, and members of royal families. Described by The Guardian in 2004 as the “wedding of the century,” the event was a stunning showcase of cultural richness and lavish modernity.
The guest list boasted Bollywood legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai, along with influential political leaders such as Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh, turning the occasion into a remarkable gathering of India’s elite. It is to be noted that Anil Ambani also visited this shadi.
The venues for this legendary celebration were nothing short of fantastical. As reported by India Today, grand replicas of iconic architectural marvels were constructed — including the White House, a Hans Christian Andersen-style fairy-tale palace, a Greek temple, and a majestic Rajput fort. Over 110 global cuisines were served, meticulously prepared by top-tier chefs specially flown in from the Taj Group of Hotels.
According to a report by BollywoodShaadis.com, the wedding attire was designed by celebrated designers Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Rohit Bal. The entertainment was equally extravagant, featuring high-energy dance performances by Shiamak Davar’s troupe and soulful Indian melodies performed by none other than the British Symphony Orchestra.
Beyond the glitz, Subrata Roy made sure the occasion carried a meaningful impact. On the auspicious day of his sons’ wedding, he arranged the marriage of 101 underprivileged girls and organized the distribution of food to 15,000 beggars, blending celebration with compassion on an extraordinary scale.
The entire cultural extravaganza was choreographed by renowned Bollywood filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, adding cinematic flair to the celebration. The grand festivities for the double wedding took place at Sahara Shaher in Lucknow, transforming the city into a dazzling hub of celebration and luxury. Seemanto Roy married Chandni Toor, while Sushanto Roy tied the knot with Richa Ahuja in a spectacular, multi-million-rupee celebration.
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