15 April 2007 The guest list: The million-dollar question is of course who has been invited to this prestigious event. Sources close to the Bachchans reveal that the guest list is not very elaborate; around 400 guests are invited. The guests who will most certainly be invited are:...
Sonia Gandhi and her family, Amar Singh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Anil and Tina Ambani, Subroto Roy, Adi and Parmeshwar Godrej, Karan and Hiroo Johar, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji, Kajol, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Sonali and Goldie Behl, Rinki Khanna, Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, Apoorva Lakhia, Kirron, Anupam and Sikandar Kher, Sunil and Chirag Joshi.
The sangeet
The grand celebrations will kick start with the Sangeet (music) ceremony on April 18 at the Bachchans' Juhu bungalow Pratiksha, from 9pm onwards. Huge tents are being put up to accommodate the guests. These tents are air-conditioned because of oppressive heat and even sound proof as Amitabh Bachchan doesn't wish to disturb the neighbours.
Special arrangements have been made for Jaya and Amitabh's closest friends too - all the ladies who will be dancing that night have been sent beautifully embroidered saris from Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. Jaya's friends have been rehearsing their performance, which will be based on the number from Omkara, 'Bidi Jalaile'. They had initially wanted to perform to 'Kajra Re' but were told by Jaya that Aishwarya and Abhishek will be putting up a surprise show for guests by dancing to 'Kajra Re.'
Besides the Ash-Abhi performance, there will be one more surprise performer - a fabulous dancer and close friend of Abhishek - Hrithik Roshan. Specially selected soundtracks will be played at all the ceremonies and weddings. The track list includes all favourites of Aishwarya and Abhishek. 'Jhoomi si hain saari dishaen' another favourite of Ash has been dropped as it was picturised with her ex-flame Viveik Oberoi.
Aishwarya will be wearing an outfit designed by the Bachchans' all time favorite designers Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla.
Mehendi ki raat
Following the Sangeet is the Mehendi (Henna) ceremony, which will also take place at Pratiksha on April 19.
Ash's outfit for this ceremony is a red zari-embroidered ghagra choli designed by her favourite designer, Neeta Lulla. The henna for the grand wedding is being specially brought from Sojat, Rajasthan. It is the same place from where Liz Hurley got henna for her wedding. Sojat and its surrounding areas in the Pali district of the state boast of the most intensive henna cultivation in India. Up to 90 per cent of Rajasthan's commercial henna production is in this area.
A famous trader who is preparing special packets for the wedding tells us that these packets will be sent to Mumbai five days prior to the wedding, '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.' Not everyone is invited to the Mehendi ceremony. It is supposed to be a very close family affair.
The wedding
The marriage of two of Bollywood's biggest stars will take place at 6.30pm on April 20, which is the mahurat decided by the family's pundits. Astrologers from across the country, who were consulted for the Abhi-Ash match, have been invited to attend the ceremony which will take place at Pratiksha.
According to reliable sources, the Bachchans are taking due care against any lapse in arrangements. They have sought special security from the police besides hiring a private agency to take care of internal security during the wedding functions.
Aishwarya's wedding outfit has been designed by Neeta Lulla - a specially hand woven sari with golden zari embroidery. The sherwani for Abhishek has been designed by his favourite designers, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. The wedding will take place strictly according to Arya Samaj rites.
Reception
The Bachchans have postponed the grand reception for some time as Teji Bachchan is in a critical condition. The reception could take place in June at a five-star hotel in Mumbai and guests will include people from the film industry. It is the fervent wish of Amitabh's mother Teji Bachchan, who is unwell and admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, to see grandson Abhishek settled, and hence the rush.
Bidaai
The last wedding ritual is Bidaai (Farewell) when the bride bids adieu to her family and leaves for her husband's place. This will take place the day after the wedding, April 21, at Aishwarya's Bandra house, La Mer.
The honeymoon
There are no plans for a honeymoon right now, as the couple have their shooting engagements and Abhishek's grandmother Teji Bachchan is also unwell. Tourism Ireland has already extended an invitation to the couple. A letter to Amitabh Bachchan, Tourism Ireland states: 'We are really happy to learn about the forthcoming wedding of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Although we understand that the wedding dates are yet to be finalised, we would like to make an offer for their honeymoon in Ireland.'
Trousseau for Rais
Neeta Lulla has designed 15 wedding saris for Ash and the ghagra choli for Ash's sister-in-law Shweta, besides a few other outfits for the Rais. However, Aishwarya's mother Vrinda will wear a south Indian silk sari from her personal wardrobe.
Sharbani Dutta (from Kolkata), a personal favourite of Vrinda Rai, is also designing for the family. She is designing for Aishwarya's father and brother among others for the April 20 wedding. With just days left to go, Dutta has already dispatched about 25-30 pieces in all, including shawls for Aishwarya.
Trousseau from the Rais to Abhishek
Vrinda Rai has also ordered designer pieces for Abhishek from Sharbani Dutta. 'It's a traditional family function, basically traditional wear, they like my work and I do only traditional clothes. I have given Abhi a lot of traditional motifs, not western designs and lots of silk in different colours, except black,' she says. Sharbani Dutta is known for her designs and clients like ex-cricketer Imran Khan, artist M F Hussain, tennis star Leander Paes and now groom-to-be Abhishek Bachchan.
A handy gift
Though many guests must still be baffled as to what they should gift the golden couple, Subroto Roy of Sahara Pariwar is crystal clear about his plans! Apparently, Subroto has asked a 3D artist Bhavna Jasra to cast impressions of Abhishek holding Ash's hand. 'Subroto Roy has approached us to prepare an impression of couple's hands,' confirms Bhavna who has also made impressions for Fardeen and Zayed Khan.
Rights out
There were rumours of Abhi-Ash's wedding rights being sold to Star TV and then to an international media house but a very close source to the Bachchans confirms otherwise. 'Amitabh doesn't intend giving rights to any newspaper, magazine or TV channel since the Bachchans find that demeaning. They don't want a public tamasha.'
Deck the house
Both the Bachchan residences of Jalsa and Pratiksha are being decorated for the grand day. Modest garlands of rows of marigold flowers and green leaves are in their full bloom to grace both the bungalows. For the wedding day, Heliconia flowers will be brought from Kochi, Kerala, which are specially cultivated for the wedding.
The namesake
The debate is still on as to how to address the most beautiful woman and the bride-to-be. Everyone has started thrusting their 'rai' for the next Mrs. Bachchan. Numerologist Sanjay B Jumani advises Ash to just add Bachchan after her name, 'If she keeps her name Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, her name comes to 5, which will help her improve her relation with Abhishek as his number is also 5.' Anupam V Kapil advises Abhishek to call his wife Aishu, as this will bring more harmony in their lives! But whatever name she takes, it will be quite interesting! If she calls herself Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, it will be similar to Amitabh's father, whose name was Harivansh Rai Bachchan! And if she drops the Rai and just calls herself Aishwarya Bachchan, there will be one more AB in the family, after AB Sr. and AB Jr.
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