HT[M]- Wanna attend Shiv-Anandi wedding?

The on-screen couple to tie the knot soon, viewers can compete to be guests

After overcoming many obstacles and various plot twists, Balika Vadhu's lead characters, Anandi and Shiv, will finally get married. What's interesting is that the couple will choose to tie the knot at a samuhik vivah (mass marriage), among other couples who cannot afford a lavish celebration. The wedding episode will be aired mid-November on Colors.

Given the fact that a grand wedding in the storyline could woo viewers, the makers explain why they chose to swim against the tide. "Balika Vadhu has shown socially relevant issues on the show in the past. This time, we want to create awareness about how extravagant Indian weddings are at times, the waste of money. Anandi and Shiv will decide against an overthe-top wedding and tell their respective families who after a little resistance, agree," says fiction head, Colors, Prashant Bhatt.

The episode will see support coming from every quarter for the couple's decision. "Besides their respective families, even the Chief Minister will be shown supporting their choice," says Bhatt.

The build up to the wedding will go on for three weeks, featuring different ceremonies. The channel also plans to include audience's views in the celebrations by running a contest in which they can send their wishes for the couple. Four messages from all four regions of India will be chosen and the winners will get a chance to be special guests at the wedding.