Mukesh Ambani, the renowned Indian industrialist, celebrated the engagement of his son, Anant Ambani, to Radhika Merchant, with an exclusive four-day luxury cruise voyage from Palermo to the south of France and back. The lavish ship made meticulously planned stops in Rome, Portofino, Genoa, and Cannes, hosting a series of extravagant festivities.
The pre-wedding celebrations, held in March in Jamnagar, Mukesh Ambani’s hometown, showcased an unparalleled level of grandeur. Ambani reportedly invested $150 million in the three-day extravaganza, which attracted over 1,200 guests. The event reached its pinnacle with a performance by the international music sensation Rihanna, adding to the already magnificent atmosphere. Embellishing the occasion further were the majestic jewelled elephants that graced the venue.
However, the festivities sparked a wave of displeasure in Portofino, where the closure of the bay for Ambani’s exclusive use drew sharp criticism. Residents and business owners expressed their frustration, emphasizing that the closure had deprived them of access to the area and disrupted their livelihoods.
The charming town of Portofino has long been a popular destination for celebrity weddings, hosting lavish events for the likes of Australian musician Sia and reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian. Despite its history as a sought-after wedding venue, Portofino had never before been closed off for a private event, causing understandable resentment among the locals.
Several restaurants in Portofino reportedly received offers to cater to the event, with menus featuring delicacies such as focaccia, paneer tikka, and beetroot goat cheese kebab, priced between € 7,000 and €10,000. Andrea Miroli, the manager of the renowned restaurant Il Puny, which has served A-list celebrities like Steven Spielberg, Sir Elton John, Denzel Washington, and Silvio Berlusconi, disclosed that they were approached to prepare lobster sandwiches, but the request came a mere 20 days before the event. Miroli expressed his discontent, finding the offer both insulting and disrespectful.
Miroli’s concerns resonated with other local businesses, who prioritized protecting their clientele and preserving their establishments’ reputations. The lack of advance notice and the seemingly dismissive attitude towards the impact on the community left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
On social media, the inaccessibility of several Portofino locations sparked outrage among locals and visitors alike. One user voiced their frustration, stating, ‘Many other celebrities and billionaires have celebrated in Portofino, none of them have ever removed access to the main point for others.’ Another commented, ‘Many billionaires have come to party here, but no one has ever taken away access to the main part of the city. Who do they think they are? They can’t just come in, throw their party, and make it difficult for people to do their daily chores.’
