2010 Star-struck Weddings
Sunanda–Shashi: Politics of Style
Clearly, the days of fuddy-duddy politicians with dowdy spouses are a thing of the past. Suddenly, the kasavu sari is an object of desire. Sunanda Pushkar's natty coiffure and foppish style made this wedding memorable. The only thing quiet about the former Union Minister's third marriage was the 'crumbling 200-year-old ancestral home' which was the wedding venue.
The IPL fiasco that led to the Kochi franchise eating dust and Tharoor's resignation as the MoE with allegations flying all around about his personal life clouding his professional decisions all came to naught on the day the stunningly beautiful Sunanda exchanged garlands and promises to keep with her leading man, Shashi Tharoor, arguably the personification of suave in Indian politics. That, and Shashi's sons welcoming their new mother home, had the smiling groom and the blushing bride misty-eyed, as also millions of well-wishers who watched the events unfold on their TV screens and computers.
Sunanda Pushkar became Mrs Shashi Tharoor, and the rest, as they say, can go take a walk.
Dimpy-Rahul: Unreal Couple
A hi-visibility reality TV wedding which had the nation riveted with dollops of nakras. Sadly the couple's marriage hit rock bottom with allegations of domestic violence, failed expectations and half-truths. Apparently things are back on track for this unreal wedding where the camera was the focus.
If one reality show wasn't enough to kickstart their unreal life, the Mahajans were reportedly set to appear in another reality show - Bigg Boss. That hasn't worked out as yet though.
Last heard, Dimpy Mahajan participated in Lakshmi Puja at a friend's house without Rahul Mahajan, but insisting that she was 'missing him all the time'. Thankfully, we were spared the karva chauth stories.
Taking a step towards the fame she hankers for, Dimpy Mahajan is all set to appear in a Bengali film soon. The reality drama continues for the Mahajans but who's watching?
Sakshi-MS Dhoni: Star Coup d’état
Now this was a well-kept secret. Asin and Deepika Padukone, even South hottie Lakshmi Rana was linked to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. But no one had a whiff of Sakshi Singh Rawat. Who was she? That's the question we asked then, not now. We fell for the rumours - a former classmate, a friend's friend, met at a party thrown by John and Bipasha, fathers were colleagues, childhood sweethearts!
The engagement and jhatpat shaadi added to the mystery. The media was barred; even team-mates were caught unawares and sent their wishes on Twitter. Sleepy Dehra Dun was suddenly the hub of society.
Ultimately, the 21-year-old walked away with one of India's most eligible bachelors in a closely guarded wedding. The leading ladies on the other hand just made it to the guest list.
Post the wedding, the Dhonis continue to hog prime media space. Wet and wild on a beach holiday or plans for their first karva chauth - everything makes news.
Sania-Shoaib: Love All
India's tennis superstar pulled off a diplomatic coup with this one. A dolled up Sania in her mother's red wedding sari was enough to bring a lump to the throat. This one is about people-to-people contact and Sania Bhabhi is a bigger hit than the customary mango petis exchanged by politicians each year.Not that the duo had it easy. First, it was a cross border union which meant intense love, emotion and dissent in equal measure. Then Shoaib Malik was accused of being already married to Ayesha Siddiqui and her family threatened legal action. Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray too lambasted Sania for choosing to marry a Pakistani. There was talk of the marriage venue being shifted to Dubai to avoid confrontation with Ayesha Siddiqui's family.
The Ayesha chapter came to a close when Shoaib 'divorced' Ayesha ahead of his marriage. The Sania-Shoaib wedding finally took place in Hyderabad ahead of the earlier announced time.
It was the crowd which pulled Sania Mirza to her career high rank of 37. The rank has fallen substantially since then, but it is the crowd which still carries Mrs Malik. The recently held Commonwealth Games were a testimony to Sania's star status in India.
Konkona-Ranvir: Cerebral Love
There is nothing subtle about the marriage of a celebrity in India. Especially if they happen to be Bollywood stars or cricketers, the two genres which consistently supply the country of a billion plus people, its demigods.
But this Bollywood wedding was an exception, one without the trappings of a celebrity wedding. But then Ranvir and Koko have never been the usual Bollywood stars - no loud mouth sound bytes or grandiose postures from either. The guest list was shorn of all Bollywood with just family and friends at the wedding. The wedding pictures were released a month later. What a change from the usual celebrity culture where each milestone is cause for considerable hoo-hah.
Ranvir and Konkona announced their wedding on Twitter. They were dating for more than three years. Konkona and Ranvir are reportedly expecting their first child. Twitter will tell!
Soundarya–Ashwin: Reflected Glory
Anything that mega star Rajnikanth does is news. By default, that includes his children as well. This time it was daughter Soundarya who married long-time boyfriend Ashwin Ram Kumar. The extravagance of this wedding and the presence of big names which transcended the North-South divide made this wedding truly stellar.
The reception was attended by big names like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor and big ticket politicians such as Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.
News of the wedding and the images were highly searched for on the Internet by Rajnikanth's fans and followers around the world.
The hot 'Transformers' star and the former teen star from 'Beverly Hills 90210' star met six years ago, but split in 2009 after being engaged for 2 years.
Better sense prevailed though and Brian Austin Green popped the question on a trip to Hawaii after they made up this year. He's 36 to her 24, but hey, whatever works, especially when the woman in question is among the hottest in the world.
Reports say the wedding had more security personnel than guests and everyone was sworn to secrecy. Brian Austin Green is an actor in his own right and we hope he won't mind too much to be referred to as Megan Fox's husband. Perhaps Abhishek Bachchan can walk him through this one!
Penelope-Javier: Endless Love
Another 'family only' low profile celebrity wedding and what's more, this was the first marriage for both! Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem have known each other for over 20 years but started a low-key relationship only in 2007. Until the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year when Javier's public declaration of his love for Penelope, moved her to tears.
Penelope had previously told the media that she believed in love, family and children but wasn't sure about marriage. Well, now they are married and the Oscar-winning couple are expecting their first child and look completely in love at most times. Eat your heart out, girls. This marriage stands rock-solid, touch wood!
Chelsea–Marc: American Royalty
When the former First Daughter who grew up in the White House married long-time boyfriend Marc Mezvinsky, the world experienced the 'overwhelming emotion' of the Clintons. The ceremony was extravagant and closely guarded, but beautiful and emotional as well. It was truly, America's own 'royal' wedding.
Rhinebeck, New York, hosted the grand wedding which is estimated to have cost between $2 million and $5 million. Chelsea Clinton's gorgeous wedding gown designed by celebrity designer and family friend Vera Wang was as dreamy as the one worn by Princess Diana decades ago. Her investment banker groom wore a custom-made tuxedo from Burberry.
Truly, an extravagant, yet emotional and hugely-guarded wedding for America's grown up First Daughter.
Calista-Harrison: Save the Best
He's 67, she's 45. They dated for 8 years, and raised Calista's adopted son together. They finally got married in the summer of 2010 after Harrison Ford proposed on Valentine's Day last year. The third marriage for 'Indiana Jones' Ford but the first for 'Ally McBeal' Flockhart, was a simple ceremony. No grand honeymoon either since Harrison Ford was in the middle of shooting 'Cowboys & Aliens'.
'People' magazine said Harrison Ford wore Wrangler jeans while Calista Flockhart wore a white sundress for the 'no frills' wedding. Ford took a day off from filming for the wedding which was held in New Mexico.
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