Nita and Mukesh Ambani give to kids’ charities and Amitabh Bachchan’s showbiz relations gather for lunch – how do India’s most famous families celebrate Christmas?

Dec 17 , 2020

Asia’s richest family, Mukesh and Nita Ambani, and daughter Isha, naturally live a life of luxury and privilege – but at Christmas they make sure to give back. Photo: @ambanifamily/Instagram

While most of India’s population is Hindu or Muslim, there are still millions of citizens, especially Christians, who join in the celebration of Christmas – whether by attending church for midnight mass or simply decorating banana or mango trees for the occasion.

Like anywhere else, Christmas is usually celebrated with family and that applies even to the most-powerful and famous clans in the country. Read on to see how the Ambanis, Kapoors and other well-known families spend the holidays.

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Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani. Photo: @nitaambani9/Instagram

As the richest family in all of Asia, Mukesh Ambani and his brood have become well-known for throwing the most lavish parties – and weddings – in India. Come Christmas though, they all become Santa Claus and give away gifts to thousands of children in need. Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, leads her family in sharing their blessings with others at this time of the year.

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The Bachchans spend the holidays together at home

Bollywood’s most-loved leading man Amitabh Bachchan heads an affluent clan with his son married to spectacularly famous actress Aishwarya Rai and his daughter married into the Kapoor family (see below). In the past, Amitabh has written in his blog that his wife Jaya decorates a Christmas tree in their Mumbai house to get the family into the Yuletide spirit. They also have gifts which they open when the clock strikes midnight.

The Kapoors attend an annual Christmas lunch

Known as “The First Family of Indian Cinema”, the Kapoor khandaan (clan or family) has been involved in the local movie industry for decades. They are also famous for coming under one roof every year for their Christmas lunch. The family tradition was started by the late power couple Jennifer Kendal and Shashi Kapoor. On Koffee With Karan, Ranbir Kapoor called it a “tennis match” since they all have to look from one direction to another, up and down the table. Eventually, every conversation leads back to films, apparently.

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The Pataudis head over to their ancestral palace

The Pataudi family is a dynasty of noblemen who hail from the former state of the same name. During the holidays, siblings Saif, Soha and Saba Ali Khan head to their ancestral palace to deck the halls, catch up and take a breather alongside relatives.

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The Bhatts wear “ugly” Christmas jumpers

Alia Bhatt, suited up for her next role as film producer. Photo: @aliaabhatt/Instagram

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Nowadays, Indian actress Alia Bhatt is the most-talked about member of her clan. She comes from a family of Bollywood personalities, including her father and renowned director, Mahesh Bhatt. Thanks to her social media posts, we know that their family is a fan of “ugly” Christmas jumpers, wearing customised pullovers that say “Christmas with the Bhatts”. Alia also revealed that her mother and actress Soni Razdan is the one who takes charge in the kitchen.

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While Nita oversees Reliance Foundation’s seasonal giving, Ranbir, Karisma and Kareena Kapoor join generations of Bollywood’s first family for lunch, while Alia Bhatt enjoys mum Soni Razdan’s home cooking