UDAIPUR – In the calm of the Aravalli hills, where Lake Pichola reflects centuries of royal splendour, Udaipur turned into a global showcase this weekend for what many are calling “the wedding of the year”. Netra Mantena, the elegant daughter of Orlando-based pharma magnate Rama Raju Mantena, tied the knot with tech entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju on 23 November 2025.
The celebrations unfolded over four lavish days filled with star performances, billionaire guests, and grand rituals.
From 21 November, the city hosted over 600 high-profile guests across venues such as The Leela Palace, Zenana Mahal, and the legendary Taj Lake Palace. The festivities blended age-old Mewari customs with a high-gloss Hollywood vibe. As the baraat drums fell silent and the pheras wrapped up, social feeds filled with clips, comments, and a fair bit of envy, with many comparing the scale of the wedding to the Ambanis’.
The Couple: Pharma Fortune Meets Tech Ambition
At the centre of it all is bride Netra Mantena, a Columbia University alumna known for keeping a low profile despite her family’s influence. Her father, Rama Raju Mantena, heads Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, a major global pharma company based in Florida with a footprint across several continents.
Born in India and armed with a pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland, Raju Mantena is widely believed to be a billionaire, although his name does not feature on the Forbes list. His money often flows into health and education charities, causes that Netra is said to support as well.
The groom, Vamsi Gadiraju, brings his own impressive story. Named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024 in the food and drink category, the NRI founder runs a restaurant tech start-up valued at around 25 million dollars. His company uses AI-based personalisation to change how people dine out. Vamsi comes from a Telugu business family and is known for a calm, focused style that pairs well with Netra’s composed personality.
“This is not only a wedding of two people, it is a meeting of heritage and new age innovation,” an insider from wedding planners Wizcraft told The Times of India. The couple first met at a wellness summit in New York, and friends say their shared interests and global ties could link Silicon Valley, New York, and Hyderabad’s corporate circles in new ways.
Sangeet Showstopper: Trump Jr Dances, Bollywood Takes Over
The celebrations kicked off on 21 November with a glittering sangeet at Manak Chowk in the City Palace, hosted by Karan Johar and Sophie Choudry. Bollywood stars took over the stage and turned the courtyard into a live film set.
Ranveer Singh, in true Ranveer style, pulled Donald Trump Jr and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson into a dance session, teaching them the hook step to “What Jhumka?” from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Clips of Don Jr clapping, laughing, and trying his best Bollywood moves went viral, drawing millions of views on X (formerly Twitter). “Ranveer got Don Jr dancing like a full desi uncle, pure comedy gold!” wrote user @BollyMirch.
Kriti Sanon stunned with a performance on “Naina” from Crew, while Varun Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor powered through high-energy medleys of their biggest hits. Janhvi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit charmed the crowd with graceful classical fusion routines.
Hrithik Roshan, ever popular, spent the evening chatting with international guests, including Oliver Trevena. “It feels like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham collided with the Met Gala,” joked one guest on Instagram. Security around the palace was extremely tight, with Rajasthan Police managing VIP movements and crowd control.
Global Icons Fly In: JLo’s Arrival, Bieber’s Beats
On 22 November, the haldi ceremony at Taj Lake Palace brought a softer, sunlit charm. Designed by Ambika Gupta of The A-Cube Project, the décor featured golden yellow marigolds, pastel fabrics, and views of Lake Pichola at every turn. Folk singers and Mewari dancers added a royal touch to the lakeside rituals.
The biggest buzz, however, hit social media in the early hours when Jennifer Lopez landed in Udaipur around 2 a.m. She blew kisses at photographers, who, in a comic mix-up, loudly greeted her as Rihanna. “Welcome to India, Rihanna ma’am!” one voice shouted, in a clip that is now doing the rounds as a meme.
JLo joined a lineup that included Justin Bieber, DJ Tiësto, Black Coffee, and Cirque du Soleil performers, with whispers of a surprise late-night set by Wiz Khalifa. “Hearing Bieber sing ‘Sorry’ over Lake Pichola, never thought I would see this in Udaipur,” posted @filmfare on X, quickly gathering more than a thousand likes.
Donald Trump Jr’s presence kept political watchers hooked as well, sparking headlines such as “From White House to Lake Palace” in Hindustan Times. The menu leaned into high-end Indian cuisine, with saffron-rich kebabs, regional chaats, and truffle-laced biryanis served to about 600 guests from India and abroad.
Fan Frenzy: Viral Clips And Non-Stop Reels
On social media, the wedding went beyond “big fat Indian wedding” status and turned into a full-blown event. The hashtag #NetraMantenaWedding trended worldwide on X, crossing 500,000 mentions in a single day. Fans shared short clips and hot takes in real time.
“Ranveer and Trump Jr on the same dance floor, this wedding has fixed Indo US relations single-handed,” joked @NewsBeepX. Others mixed admiration with humour. “My ex once took me to this wedding. Manifestation works, people,” wrote @AnnabellePai, racking up dozens of retweets.
Instagram Reels of JLo’s arrival passed 2 million views, while TikTok edits of the sangeet performances went past 10 million plays. Travel creator @UdaipurDiaries predicted that such global attention could send fresh waves of luxury tourists to the city.
Not everyone applauded the extravagance, though. Some users pointed to the contrast with poverty and unemployment in India. “Stunning, but feels tone deaf in 2025,” wrote @CSRJournal, echoing ongoing conversations about wealth and responsibility.
Media Take: Grandeur, Rituals, And A Hint Of Debate
From NDTV to Economic Times, Indian media outlets framed the event as “a royal fairy tale for the Instagram age”. The Indian Express praised how the planners paired traditional ceremonies with global star power and highlighted the eco-friendly touches, including décor created with local flowers and artisan work.
Bollywood Shaadis claimed it outdid Anant Ambani’s wedding in glamour, although some readers argued that the Ambani functions still hold the record in sheer scale.
Comment pieces also raised concerns. Livemint questioned the volume of private jets and charter flights coming in for the weekend, asking how such events fit into larger conversations around climate change. “The spectacle is unmatched, the sustainability part is less clear,” one column summed it up.
Even with the criticism, most coverage agreed on one point. The Mantena Gadiraju wedding set a new example of how modern Indian weddings can stay rooted in family rituals and regional culture, while pulling in international talent and high fashion.
As Netra and Vamsi departed Udaipur on 24 November with a quiet farewell cruise on the lake, the city finally slowed down. For the couple, it marked the beginning of married life.
For everyone who watched from afar, it felt like a statement about love, wealth, and the global gaze on Indian celebrations. In a year packed with celebrity weddings, many will remember 2025 as the season that peaked on the calm waters of Lake Pichola.
