The City of Lakes has witnessed its share of royal celebrations, but nothing quite prepared Udaipur for the spectacle that unfolded from November 21-24, 2025. When pharmaceutical magnate Raj Mantena decided to host his daughter Netra Mantena’s wedding to tech entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju, the result was a four-day extravaganza that dominated social media feeds, captivated celebrity watchers, fashion connoisseurs and drew comparisons to the legendary Ambani celebrations. From private charters lined up at Maharana Pratap Airport to the handcrafted florals, the affair is estimated to have cost £25-30 million, placing it among India’s most extravagant weddings of the decade.
While the exact budget remains undisclosed, industry insiders suggest the festivities likely cost tens of millions of dollars, with some estimates placing venue bookings alone between £127,800-255,600 for premium palace locations. The sheer scale, 600 guests from over 40 countries, charter flights arranged specially for attendees, international superstars flown in for performances, and the complete takeover of Udaipur’s most prestigious venues, signals an investment that rivals the most expensive destination weddings in recent history.
The man behind the millions
At the heart of this lavish celebration stands Rama Raju Mantena, better known as Raj Mantena, a pharmaceutical titan who built his empire from humble beginnings in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. After moving to the United States in the 1980s with degrees in computer science from JNTU India and clinical pharmacy from the University of Maryland, he carved out a formidable presence in American healthcare. As Chairman and CEO of Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, he leads a company specialising in affordable cancer and mental health medications, with operations spanning the US, Switzerland, and India.
A royal union
The tycoon hosted his daughter’s the season’s most talked-about wedding; a union that brought together two accomplished individuals against a backdrop of unparalleled grandeur. Netra Mantena, a Doctor of Pharmacy and Columbia University alumna known for maintaining a low profile despite her privileged upbringing, married Vamsi Gadiraju, co-founder and CTO of Superorder, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree whose AI-driven restaurant technology platform boasts an estimated valuation of £14-20 million.
Four days of opulence across palatial venues
The celebrations sprawled across Udaipur’s most iconic locations, each venue meticulously chosen for its historical significance and visual splendour. Each function carried its own identity, curated with the finesse of a world-class production.
The festivities began with a welcome dinner at The Leela Palace featuring Dutch superstar DJ Tiësto and traditional Rajasthani dancers and drummers. The evening was themed Desert Noir, featuring black-gold décor and gourmet molecular cuisine counters. The sangeet ceremony, hosted by Bollywood’s own Karan Johar alongside Sofia Choudhury, took place at the City Palace’s Zenana Mahal, illuminated with cinematic lighting that brought centuries-old architecture to life and immersive tech-driven experiences.
The haldi ceremony, which unfolded at Taj Lake Palace, stayed rooted in tradition but with a luxe twist, featuring organic turmeric sourced from the bride’s hometown, sunlit marigold canopies and custom white embroidered ensembles for all family members.
The mehndi embraced a glam ‘Cirque Du Mehendi’ theme with whimsical garden twist with pastel installations, floating florals, unique performances and personalised mehndi stations that offered everything from bridal motifs to pop-culture art.
The main ceremony took place at the breathtaking Jagmandir Island Palace, a 17th-century marble masterpiece rising from Lake Pichola’s waters. The outdoor spaces were transformed into floral paradises with lush blooms, delicate mandap décor, and shimmering accents that perfectly captured traditional Mewari aesthetics.
Netra made her grand entrance in a regal red Sabyasachi lehenga with intricate embroidery and heavy traditional jewellery, while Vamsi complemented her in an embellished sherwani complete with a traditional Rajasthani turban. Each event was produced by Wizcraft Wedding Event Managers, known for handling large-scale celebrity productions, ensuring every detail reflected a seamless blend of Mewari traditions with contemporary global sensibility.
A star-studded guest list that stopped the world
And then there were the guests, from Bollywood royalty and industrialist clans to global CEOs and sports icons, all flying in for the celebrations. The star-studded attendance list read like a who’s who of global entertainment and politics. Donald Trump Jr., son of the US President, emerged as one of the most talked-about guests, arriving with girlfriend Bettina Anderson and participating enthusiastically in the celebrations. The political presence added gravitas to an already high-profile event, with tight security arrangements involving Central Security Agencies ensuring seamless protection for international dignitaries.
The Bollywood contingent was equally impressive with Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Janhvi Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nora Fatehi and Dia Mirza who all graced the events with their presence. Filmmaker Karan Johar not only attended but also served as master of ceremonies, bringing his signature style to the sangeet. International attendees included Hollywood actor Oliver Trevena, who first revealed glimpses of the opulent ruby-red wedding invitation box on social media and former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla, who documented the festivities online. The presence of over 600 guests from more than 40 countries required extraordinary logistics, including multiple luxury charter flights and complete bookings of Udaipur’s premium hotels.
Performances that broke the internet
The entertainment lineup transformed the wedding into a multi-day concert series featuring global icons. Jennifer Lopez stole headlines with her arrival on November 22, greeting Indian paparazzi with waves and flying kisses before delivering an electrifying full-length concert performance. Dressed in a stunning gold bodysuit and knee-high boots, she commanded the stage with chart-toppers including ‘On The Floor’, ‘Ain’t Your Mama’, and ‘Get Right’, leaving 600 guests cheering for more.
For the wedding ceremony itself, the sensation embraced Indian tradition wearing a custom Manish Malhotra blush pink Swarovski crystal sari paired with an off-shoulder blouse and over 168 carats of dual-toned emerald jewellery.
The Bollywood performances at the sangeet became instant viral sensations. Ranveer Singh danced energetically to ‘Aankh Marey’ and taught Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend the hook step to ‘What Jhumka?’ and shook a leg with the happy couple, while Shahid Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon delivered memorable routines. DJ Tiësto kept the energy high throughout, while additional acts included Black Coffee, Cirque du Soleil and DJ Aman Nagpal, ensuring every moment pulsed with world-class entertainment.
Extravagance in every detail
But perhaps the most defining aspect of the affair was the mind-blowing extravagance woven into every detail. Starting with the wedding invitation. It was a ruby-red box with gold elephant motif containing personalised envelopes and ‘The Udaipur Collection’ booklet featuring gemstones like sapphires, emeralds, rubies and diamonds in a gemstone-themed design. Guests were welcomed with bespoke in-room hampers packed with curated global treats, including artisanal chocolates from Belgium, heritage teas from Japan, personalised fragrances, couture stoles, monogrammed accessories and skincare crafted exclusively by a niche European brand. There were artists and entertainers flown in from across the world.
Multiple international décor teams were flown in, collaborating with Indian floral experts to create set-ups that changed dramatically from one event to the next. Think over 1.5 lakh fresh flowers imported specially for the wedding, towering arches, crystal chandeliers suspended over open lawns and installations inspired by Mughal gardens and modern sculpture. Even the logistics were on another level: chauffeured luxury cars, concierge teams for every guest, custom luggage tags and check-in experiences that mirrored five-star hospitality.
