MUMBAI

 The usually peaceful Altamount Road turned into a buzzing neighbourhood Tuesday as the gates of the tower-house Antilla opened to welcome the guests for the wedding of its owner Mukesh Ambani’s daughter Isha to fellow billionaire Ajay Piramal’s son Anand.

The high security wall around one of the world’s most expensive residences, which adds an element of mystique to the richest Indian family, was flowing with choicest of flowers procured from the local markets as well as shipped from abroad as part of the multi-million dollar wedding celebrations.

Isha’s twin-bother Akash and elder brother Anant Ambani rode out on specially requisitioned horses, in traditional attire late in the afternoon, beginning the nuptial ceremony of India Inc’s most watched event of the year. This was followed by the ‘baraat’ (traditional wedding procession) in which the groom’s side enters.

Guards armed with automatic rifles led the baraat, ahead of a brass band from Jaipur playing choicest of numbers to which the guests, including the groom’s father Ajay Piramal, swayed.

Anand Piramal, the cynosure of all eyes, followed them all in a vintage Rolls Royce.

Akash and Anant, along with their uncle Anil Ambani, welcomed the procession before it entered the high walls of the 27-storey house around 1530 hrs for the nuptials which were scheduled for an auspicious time at around 1700 hrs, sources said.

Traffic on the Altamount Road, a by-lane of the busy arterial Peddar Road, which hosts many known names, and government appointees like the RBI Governor’s official residence, had to be halted for a while.

Other guests started trickling-in soon after, and included former president Pranab Mukherjee, ex-US secretary of state and first-lady Hillary Clinton, the Bachchans, Priyanka Chopra along with her husband Nick Jonas, and Aamir Khan from the tinsel town, and Sachin Tendulkar.

Though the exact time of the nuptials were not known, sources said the exit of the wedding party, along with the new daughter-in-law may take place only after the midnight.

The tony neighbourhood also attracted a lot of footfall of curious onlookers eager to get a glimpse of their favourite businessmen, sportspersons or film actors which make the A-list for the financial capital, and beyond.

The stream of people made it a field day for the private security personnel who stood guard in their specially created blue jackets around the sprawling Antilla compound.

A special pedestal was created for the media across the road in a private residence to capture the goings-on.

The formal nuptials were preceded by elaborate song and dance pre-wedding festivities at Udaipur, which saw a performance by pop artist Beyonce and specially choreographed song and dance sequences including ones by the bride’s mother Neeta, Isha herself and also some big names from Bollywood.

The wedding celebrations will continue at least till the next weekend, with a host of receptions being hosted by both the families.