'Loud music & bay area shut', Portofino locals outraged by Mukesh Ambani's pre-wedding cruise party
Ambanis have been in a celebratory mood this year. From Jamnagar bash to a lavish luxury cruise, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding events were the only thing that people across the globe talked about for days on end.
Mukesh Ambani celebrated his son Anant's engagement to Radhika Merchant by hosting an extravagant four-day luxury cruise from Palermo to the south of France and back. The cruise included exclusive visits to Rome, Portofino, Genoa, and Cannes, where meticulously planned celebrations took place.
The Cruise Party Was Quite A Hit With The Guests But It Has Left A Sour Taste In Local People’s Mouth
While it was a gala time for the hosts and the guests both, this celebration didn’t sit well with businessess and individuals in Portofino. Why you ask? Well, the affluence of Mukesh Ambani is such that he closed off the entire bay, making it inaccessible to residents and tourists alike.
While this picturesque town has never been closed for an event previously, it has long been a sought-after destination for celebrities seeking an idyllic wedding venue. Notable figures such as Australian musician Sia and reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian have tied the knot in this charming location.
Also Read :?Inside The Net Worth Of India’s Richest Man Mukesh Ambani’s Children & Family
Ambanis Finalised The Caterer At The Last Minute Offering Them Rs 9 Lakh And A 20-day Notice
Numerous restaurants were approached with offers to cater the event, with menu items ranging from focaccia and paneer tikka to beetroot goat cheese kebabs, priced between �7,000 and �10,000 (Rs 6.3 lakh - Rs 9 lakh). Andrea Miroli, the manager of the renowned restaurant Il Puny, which has previously served celebrities like Steven Spielberg, Sir Elton John, Denzel Washington, and Silvio Berlusconi, disclosed that they were requested to prepare lobster sandwiches. However, they were given only a 20-day notice before the event.
Andrea Miroli, the manager of the esteemed restaurant Il Puny, was one of the individuals expressing dissatisfaction. He disclosed that they were offered �10,000 (Rs 9 lakh) just 20 days before the event, a proposition he deemed insulting, disrespectful, and inappropriate. His main priority was safeguarding the reputation of his patrons and the restaurant's esteemed image, a sentiment echoed by numerous other local establishments.
He told The Times, “We were offered �10,000 just 20 days before the event. I find this offensive, bad mannered and incorrect. I have my customers and an illustrious history to protect.”
On social media platforms, both locals and visitors lamented the inaccessibility of various locations in Portofino. One Italian user on X expressed their frustration., “Many other celebrities and billionaires have celebrated in Portofino, none of them have ever removed access to the main point for others. 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.”
Also Read: From charter flights to silver jewellery: Gifts and services guests enjoyed on Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding cruise
People On The Internet Noted That Several Other Celebs Have Tied The Knot At The Picturesque Town But No One Shut The Entire Area Before The Ambanis
As Mukesh Ambani, Asia's wealthiest individual with a net worth of $115 billion (approximately Rs 9.6 lakh crore), along with his family, enjoyed themselves at their personal party venue in Portofino, locals were left irritated and tourists inconvenienced.?
The commune of Portofino, one of the most significant, picturesque, and bustling areas of the tiny fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, was wholly cordoned off for the affluent assemblage. No tourists or locals were allowed near the bay, which understandably rubbed many the wrong way, especially the tourists.
“I couldn’t see the main attractions of Portofino this weekend due to a private event organized by an Indian or Pakistani billionaire for his spoiled son. There have been many events hosted by billionaires in the past, but none have ever closed the area,” shared another.?
Genoa Locals Complained Of Loud Music Which Kept Them Awake All Night
?Reports from Il Secolo suggest that the loud music from the 1,072-foot-long cruise ship kept three neighborhoods in Genoa awake all night. Despite their complaints, authorities took no action, and the music only ceased at dawn when guests departed for Cristoforo Colombo Airport to catch their chartered flights.
While the celebrations exuded splendor and opulence, demonstrating the Ambani family's generosity and grandeur to their guests, a bit more consideration for the people of Portofino could have transformed a contentious event into a truly memorable occasion for all involved.
