Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsBy Vimla Patil
17 April 2007 (Sawf News) - The eagerly anticipated wedding begins tomorrow (18th April 2007) at Prateeksha with the Sangeet ceremony, during which Abhishek and Aishwarya are expected to dance to the beats of 'Kajra re'. Fan frenzy is expected to reach a crazed pitch over the next three days with police anticipating immolation bids aimed at stopping the wedding!
The media, keen to cash in, is ratcheting up the nation wide interest in the event with sensational twists and angles. We bring you a round up of stories splattered on tabloid columns.
Aishwarya, says the TOI, is getting last minute 'jitters' like any bride. She is personally writing invites to the 'big' people in her life – the 16-page invite in a box is accompanied by another box of cookies. Her list includes bigwigs from the film and fashion industry with whom she has worked closely.
Since just two days to go, Air Sahara chief, Subrato Roy, a close friend of the Bachchan family, is helping Ash deliver the invites through his network. Ash is also busy rushing to jewelery and ensemble designers in a last minute effort to get everything she wants!
Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2. Photo Credit: Yash Raj FilmsWill Hrithik and Shah Rukh Khan perform at the Abhi-Ash wedding?
Prateeksha – the original Bachchan residence in Juhu, Mumbai – is getting decked up for the sangeet and mehendi events! Sound-proof, air-conditioned tents have been set up for guests. Popular item dances from films like Omkara (bidi jalaile) will be performed by guests and dance ensembles! What's more, DNA reports that the biggest hit from Bunty Aur Babli (Kajra re) will be performed by the bridal couple at the sangeet!
Hot rumors say that Hrithik Roshan – who shared a lip-lock with Aishwarya in Dhoom II – will make a special appearance at the function and though SRK is not an invitee, he may dance at the sangeet!
Shahrukh Khan
© AFP/File Why hasn't SRK been invited to the wedding? Why is Rekha out of the invitee list? Why is Sonia Gandhi omitted from the list?
TOI's scribe Anil Thakraney says in a cartoon strip that SRK has forfeited his invite – despite the 'influence' wielded by Karan Johar – due to the wrath of Amar Singh, Amitabh's 'younger brother' who has been upset with SRK for making rude remarks about him when he anchored the Zee Awards show earlier. SRK called Amar Singh a 'darinda' or letcher in his commentary and this became a big issue on television news! The Big B is also offended with SRK for redoing Don and KBC and reportedly grabbing several of his ad contracts.
Rekha in a file photo. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsRekha, says the columnist, will spend the night of the 20th quietly at home because the Big B cannot invite her, as he fears the wrath of the 'Bengali tigress', Jaya Bachchan!
The Gandhis and the Bachchans have been at loggerheads for a while now – the reason being the Big B's closeness to the Samajwadi Party leaders Amar Singh and Mulayam Singh. Much to the amusement of the nation, he has appeared repeatedly in pre-Uttar-Pradesh-election TV commercials, stating loftily 'UP main jurm kam hai' – 'There are less crimes in Uttar Pradesh' and that he would love to be 'born again in the hallowed land of Uttar Pradesh'!
Ash's wedding wardrobe
At the sangeet, Ash will wear an ensemble from Abu-Sandeep in deference to the wishes of her in-laws. For her mehendi, she will wear a Neeta Lulla designed red zari-embroidered ghagra choli. While the sangeet and mehendi will be held at Prateeksha, the wedding, now to be conducted reportedly with Arya Samaj rituals (contradicting earlier reports of a Bengali style wedding earlier in the media), will be conducted at Jalsa. Again, Ash will wear a hand-woven saree with gold embroidery, created by Neeta Lulla for this grand occasion.
The newly weds will not go on a honeymoon, though the Tourism Ireland has invited them to visit the Emerald Isle for a holiday. DNA says that there will be a grand reception later in June 2007 at a prominent hotel, depending on the failing health of Teji Bachchan, Big B's mother.
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