Ash nearly had Saas-Bahu war

Those of us who don't know where Sojat is, it's time to refresh their general knowledge. This is the place in Rajasthan from where Aishwarya Rai will get henna for her mehndi (henna) ceremony when she weds Abhishek Bachchan.

Over 15 kg of local henna will travel to wherever (the trader refuses to disclose where) the ceremony takes place. The henna packets would be sent five days prior to the wedding day.

"The Bachchan family contacted a mehndi agent in Mumbai who in turn has placed orders with two of the leading henna traders of Sojat," sources told here Friday.

These traders had prepared a special type of mehndi for model and actress Liz Hurley's wedding to NRI businessman Arun Nayar recently.

"We have received orders from an agent in Mumbai for the Bachchan wedding and we are preparing special packets for them. We will send these packets to wherever they decide to get married," said Nitesh Agarwal, a Sojat-based mehndi trader.

Sojat and its surrounding areas in the Pali district of the state boast of the most intensive henna cultivation in India. Up to 90 percent of Rajasthan's commercial henna production is in this area.

Over 100 henna processing units are in operation in Sojat.

Bollywood's hottest couple are getting married on April 20. According to reports, the ceremony would be a low key affair and held in Mumbai with only the closest family and friends in attendance.

We also hear that potential conflict between Bahu Aishwarya and Saas Jaya has been averted thanks to some deft balancing by Ash's mother Vrinda Rai.

Ash was keen to get her wedding dresses designed by her favorite designer Nita Lulla but Jay preferred Abu Jaani and Sandeep Khosla, the duo who incidentally clothed Amitabh Bachchan's wax replica at Madame Tussauds.

Family watchers feared that the relationship between Jaya – who is known for her silent temper – and Ash, who is rightly called the ice maiden – would freeze even before it begins officially.

Yash Chopra introduced Neeta to Aishwarya10 years ago and since then Neeta has been the star's preferred designer. Aishwarya's costumes in the films Umrao Jaan, Devdas, Taal, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam were designed by Neeta as were her dresses at prestigious events such as the Cannes Festival. The bond between the two friends has been strong and stable.

Jaya, on the other hand, has been loyal to Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. According to the grapevine Vrinda Rai, Ash's diplomatic mother worked out a compromise to satisfy both parties. Being the bride's mother, she had to delicately work around the conflict areas to make both strong-willed women happy.

So now the final decisions are as follows: Neeta Lulla will design a gold zari embroidered saree for Ash to wear on her wedding day. For her mehendi on the 18th, Ash will wear a red zari embroidered ghagra-choli also designed by Neeta Lulla.

Abu-Sandeep will design Ash's outfit for the Sangeet ceremony at Prateeksha on the 19th. Vrinda Rai will gift Ash with heritage jewelery from her own collection and her inheritance from the Rai family.