Meet Parimal Nathwani: Mukesh Ambani’s Close Aide Whose Son Married At Jio World Centre — And How One Meeting With Dhirubhai Ambani Changed His Lif...

If you’ve lived long enough in Mumbai, you know that weddings in this city are a genre of their own. But when the event unfolds at the Jio World Centre—the same venue that hosted Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s magnificently talked-about celebrations—attention is guaranteed. And when the groom happens to be the son of Parimal Nathwani, one of Mukesh Ambani’s most trusted aides, the guest list, the scale, and the curiosity multiply instantly. The wedding of Karan Nathwani and Dweta did exactly that. It also revived public interest in Parimal Nathwani, the man who began his career far away from the glamour of Fortune 500 boardrooms—and whose life took a dramatic turn after a single conversation with Dhirubhai Ambani. This is the story of that man,

the Ambani family’s long-standing relationship with him, and the wedding that briefly turned the Jio World Centre into yet another chapter of Reliance family lore.

Parimal Nathwani: The Man Behind the Title

Before his name became synonymous with strategic affairs at Reliance Industries, Parimal Dhirajlal Nathwani was a young man trying (and failing) at small ventures. Born on 1 February 1956 in Bombay (now Mumbai), he completed his graduation from the University of Mumbai. It would be decades later—in 2006—that he would earn his doctorate in management from the National Institute of Management. Today, Nathwani is known as an industrialist, a Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh, and the Director of Corporate Affairs at Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India’s largest private-sector company. He is also a politician with a strong grassroots network, a sports administrator, and a board member in several religious and welfare institutions. But none of this was written in his stars until one fateful meeting.

The Meeting With Dhirubhai Ambani That Changed Everything

Long before he entered Parliament or the Reliance leadership circle, Nathwani tried his hand at running a soap agency and dabbling in the stock market. Both ventures went nowhere. Then came the turning point. In the late 1980s, Nathwani was introduced to Dhirubhai Ambani and a young Mukesh Ambani. What happened next has been recounted by Nathwani in multiple interviews over the years: Dhirubhai took a liking to him, saw potential where others saw failed attempts, and offered him a role that would test every skill he possessed. His first major assignment? Acquiring nearly 10,000 acres of land—peacefully—from farmers in Gujarat. The scale was staggering. The timeline was tight. And the responsibility, unprecedented. Nathwani succeeded. This acquisition became the foundation for what would grow into the Jamnagar Refinery, today the world’s largest oil-refining hub. His success made him Reliance’s “face in Gujarat” and one of the company’s most trusted voices in regional negotiations and community relations. Trivia historians often point out that several early Reliance leaders grew through similar, high-pressure missions—Nathwani remains one of the most successful examples. To this day, he credits Dhirubhai as his mentor, saying he learned his core professional values—time management, commitment, and the belief that nothing is impossible—from the legendary founder himself.

Mukesh Ambani and Parimal Nathwani: A Long, Steady Relationship

Although Dhirubhai Ambani was the one who first spotted Nathwani's potential, it was Mukesh Ambani who continued to build on that trust. Over the decades, Nathwani has become one of the most familiar figures in Reliance’s internal leadership circle. As Director of Corporate Affairs, his role spans stakeholder engagement, government relations, and company-community strategy—areas where reliability matters more than visibility. His ties with the Ambani family extend beyond the professional realm. The public got another glimpse of this bond when Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani attended his son Karan’s wedding this week.

For a family as high-profile as the Ambanis, attendance is more than a social courtesy—it is an acknowledgment of a relationship that has endured transitions, expansion, and years of organisational evolution.

Inside the Wedding at Jio World Centre

The wedding of Karan Nathwani and Dweta took place at the cultural crown of the Ambani universe: the Jio World Centre. The venue has become synonymous with high-profile celebrations—thanks to its grand halls, detailed decor possibilities, and its association with Reliance’s biggest family events. It was the same location where Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant had their pre-wedding festivities last year, setting the internet ablaze with conversations around fashion, food, and scale. At Karan’s wedding, Mukesh Ambani arrived in traditional Indian attire while Nita Ambani chose an intricately detailed saree. They greeted guests with their characteristic warmth, posed for pictures, and blessed the couple. A widely circulated video—credited to fan pages—showed Nita Ambani performing a tilak ceremony for the newlyweds. Karan bent down to touch her feet, a gesture that indicated the family’s deep respect for their relationship with the Ambanis. Anant Ambani, too, attended the wedding and was seen in several photographs shared by MLA Shailesh Sotta.

Family, Roles and Public Life

Parimal Nathwani and his wife, Varsha Nathwani, have two sons: Dhanraj and Karan. While Dhanraj has built a career in business, Karan’s wedding this week became one of the most-watched society events in the city. Professionally, Nathwani has worn many hats: - Rajya Sabha MP - Elected as an Independent from Jharkhand in 2008 - Re-elected in 2014 - Elected from Andhra Pradesh in 2020 - Sports Administration - President of the Gujarat State Football Association (GSFA) - Religious and Welfare Boards - Member of Nathdwara Temple Board - Member of Gujarat Governor’s Social Welfare Fund Board His deep involvement in Saurashtra’s development issues has also earned him the nickname “Voice of Saurashtra”.

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The rise of Parimal Nathwani mirrors the DNA of the Reliance success story—chance, ambition, mentorship, and extraordinary scale. A young man who once struggled with small ventures went on to become - A key figure in the world’s largest refining project, - An MP with influence across two states, - A long-standing member of the country’s biggest corporate ecosystem, and - A trusted aide of Mukesh Ambani for decades. And as Karan Nathwani and Dweta’s wedding made headlines, it reminded everyone that behind every celebrated event lies a story of loyalty, legacy, and a relationship built over years of trust.