Why Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant touched feet of a Matunga cafe owner at their wedding

“Thank you so much; only because of you, we…” added Anant as they both bend down to touch her feet. Shloka Ambani also joins them in the video, saying, “We really look forward to our Saturdays,” as she, too, touches her feet. Anant, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, married Radhika, the daughter of pharma tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant, at a star-studded event at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on July 12.

Family and friends have been calling the 75-year-old owner of Matunga’s iconic and arguably the oldest Udupi joint to congratulate her on the warm reception she received from Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at their wedding function. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Shanteri says that she had no clue about the now-viral video. “After having dinner, I expressed my desire to meet the couple. Their staff member went inside for permission, and soon, I was not only allowed inside but also given VIP access to the stage. There was a long queue of people wanting to come to the stage and get their photographs clicked but their staff put my wheelchair on the ramp and I was on the stage in no time,” recalled Shanteri when The Indian Express met her at Cafe Mysore on Tuesday evening, adding that the minute she introduced herself to Anant Ambani, he was in jubilation.

“He touched my feet and quickly called Radhika. They both touched my feet, saying they look forward to having food from Cafe Mysore. Shloka too touched my feet and said the same. They were so excited and happy, they spoke to me for a while, and Anant even said that he is honoured that we made it to the wedding. It was a very big honour for me. They even asked me for a photo,” she recalled, adding that she was pleasantly surprised.

“I wasn’t even sure of meeting the couple. I had no words to say. I just blessed them.”

Shantel says that she had no clue about the now-viral video. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

“I was in tears seeing how Mukesh Ambani’s children treated my mother. The amount of love, gratitude, respect and deference they have shows their character and upbringing. The video shows how these children are at their core,” said her son Naresh Nagesh Nayak, 44.

He added, “Anant asked me to hand over my phone to the photographer and joked that this will be the next photo in Cafe Mysore.” Anant’s joke was in reference to the current photo that shows a young Mukesh Ambani dining inside Cafe Mysore with one of his sons.

Interestingly, Shanteri was not keen on attending the dinner that evening because she is averse to crowded spaces. “But then my son Naresh said that this is their last wedding (in the Ambani family), so I decided to go,” said Shanteri, adding that she had also been to the wedding of Akash-Shloka and Isha-Anand in the past.

Sharing her experience from Monday evening, she said how the staff did not recognise her initially but when she introduced herself, they treated her with a lot of respect and care. “I was offered a wheelchair and a staff member to take me around. He took me for a stroll, showing me everything like a host. A R Rahman’s performance was going on when we were there. Thanks to him, I could see it all; otherwise, it was a very expansive space that has been done up very beautifully, showcasing the rich culture of India, especially with their recreation of Kashi,” she said.

Cafe Mysore has been Mukesh Ambani’s favourite restaurant since his college days in Matunga in the 1970s, and the family still relishes its food every weekend. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

She suggests that the Ambanis keep the decor as it is for another week and then open it up for the general public to marvel at what they have created.

Cafe Mysore has been Mukesh Ambani’s favourite restaurant since his college days in Matunga in the 1970s, and the family still relishes its food every weekend. “Idlis are their favourite,” said Naresh, adding, “We send idli, sambhar and chutney alongside batter for dosas so that they can have it warm at their home.”

“Their food and beverages team coordinates with the restaurant and shares a detailed order and the pick-up time. They even send containers from home. Wherever the family goes, this food goes with them. I have been told that once Mukesh bhai (Ambani) was in Paris and his charter flight came to Mumbai only to pick up the order,” he added.