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Bollywood stars set for marriage Bollywood celebrates star wedding
(about 17 hours later)
Bollywood is ready for its biggest marriage in years when actress Aishwarya Rai weds Abhishek Bachchan. Two of Bollywood's biggest stars, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, have wed in the Indian city of Mumbai.
The Friday evening ceremony is due to be held at Bachchan's residence in India's film capital, Mumbai (Bombay). Only about 100 guests were invited to the evening ceremony held at one of the groom's family's homes.
The bride is a former Miss World, while the groom is son of film superstar Amitabh Bachchan and famous actress turned politician, Jaya Bachchan. But outside, thousands of fans packed the streets trying to catch a glimpse of the couple and celebrity guests.
The film industry's first family has gone out of its way to keep the wedding a strictly private affair. Ms Rai is a former Miss World, while the groom is son of veteran superstar actor Amitabh Bachchan and actress turned politician, Jaya Bachchan.
The marriage had been billed as Bollywood's biggest wedding in a decade, but the Bachchan family went out of its way to try to keep the proceedings a strictly private affair, erecting a wooden fence around the house to try to keep onlookers away.
But the BBC's Monica Chadha says there were chaotic scenes as a crowd of about 1,000 onlookers broke through barricades and climbed trees to try to get a glimpse of proceedings.
Marriage a bad career move? Wedding in pictures Send us your comments Police were forced to use batons to try to control them and a team of private security guards formed a human chain around the house which overlooks a main road.
There was drama late on Thursday when a woman claiming to be Bachchan's lover slashed one of her wrists outside his house. She did not appear to have been seriously hurt.
The ceremony began with a procession led by Abhishek Bachchan riding a white horse along the road from one of the Bachchan family bungalows to another, where Rai was waiting for him.
The couple were wed according to Hindu marriage rites, including a ceremonial walk around a fire seven times which signifies that the couple will reunite for their next seven births.
Eleven priests were reportedly called in to conduct the marriage.
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A temporary wooden structure has been built around the house to ensure that no prying eyes or cameras ruin the private moment for the family. Close friends, including industrialist Anil Ambani and politician Amar Singh, as well as fellow actors Kajol and her husband Ajay Devgan, Preity Zinta and Sanjay Dutt, were among those on the guest list.
And up to 400 security guards will be on duty to keep strangers away. The groom's childhood friends, including directors Apoorva Lakhia and Rohan Sippy, were there too.
'Small affair' Rai had been expected to wear a special outfit created by her long-time designer, Neeta Lulla, while Bachchan is thought to have opted for an ensemble designed by duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who are close to the Bachchan family.
Only a few, very select guests have been invited to the wedding.
The wedding party has been going on since Wednesday
Close friends, namely industrialist Anil Ambani and politician Amar Singh, as well as fellow actors Kajol and her husband Ajay Devgan, Preity Zinta and Sanjay Dutt are among those invited to all functions.
The groom's childhood friends, including directors Apoorva Lakhia and Rohan Sippy, made it to the list as well.
However, many top Bollywood stars such as Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Rani Mukherjee did not.
A friend of the family said the Bachchans wanted to keep it small as the groom's grandmother is unwell and undergoing treatment in hospital.A friend of the family said the Bachchans wanted to keep it small as the groom's grandmother is unwell and undergoing treatment in hospital.
The wedding will take place according to Hindu traditions.
It will begin in the afternoon with a procession led by the groom along the road between one of his bungalows, Jalsa, to another, Pratiksha (Wait, in Hindi), where the bride will be waiting for him.
The two will then wed according to Hindu marriage rites. These include walking around the fire seven times which signifies that the couple will reunite for the next seven births.
Since this is the significant part of a Hindu wedding, the couple will do so at 1730 hours local time (1200 GMT), which is considered an auspicious hour on this particular day.
Eleven priests have reportedly been called in to conduct the marriage.
'No honeymoon''No honeymoon'
Rai is expected to wear a special outfit created by her long-time designer, Neeta Lulla, while Bachchan is thought to have opted for an ensemble designed by duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who are close to the Bachchan family.
The big day was preceded by the sangeet, or music night, on Wednesday, when relatives and friends joined the couple to dance and sing songs.The big day was preceded by the sangeet, or music night, on Wednesday, when relatives and friends joined the couple to dance and sing songs.
Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya reportedly performed a special waltz for the couple, while their friends gave special performances.Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya reportedly performed a special waltz for the couple, while their friends gave special performances.
Thursday evening was the mehndi, or henna night, when the bride's hands and feet are painted with henna in preparation for the big day.Thursday evening was the mehndi, or henna night, when the bride's hands and feet are painted with henna in preparation for the big day.
While this function took place at Rai's residence in Bandra, a dinner party took place at the Bachchan bungalow. This took place at Rai's residence in Bandra, while a dinner party took place at the Bachchan bungalow.
Reports say the couple will not go for a honeymoon since Abhishek Bachchan wants to be close to his grandmother and spend time with her. Reports say the couple will not go on honeymoon because Abhishek Bachchan wants to be close to his grandmother.