Two of the Indian cinema’s biggest stars Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachachan are to get married on Friday April 20, 2007 at 6:30PM.  The couple has kept their relationship and engagement low-key.  The marriage is also going to be a private ceremony in Mumbai.  We share a few tidbits about the wedding.

The couple get a painting by Husain, depicting mega cine stars Abhishek and Aishwarya seated on the traditional wedding horse, and Bollywood hunk Salman Khan, a former boyfriend of Ash, as a heart-broken man with a stick in one hand and an empty bowl in the other. Husain has described Salman as one ‘symbolising the millions of heart-broken Indians’.

The henna to be used for Aishwarya is reportedly sourced from Sojat. Sojat is a place in Rajasthan, which is famous for its special henna. Around 15 kgs of henna is being ordered for the big wedding.

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. A few links for the curious few:
http://www.aishwarya-wedding.com/
http://www.rediff.com/movies/ashabhiwed.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1908809.cms
http://www.srajaram.com/2007/01/abhishek-bachchan-aishwarya-rai.html

There have been reports of how the paparazzi culture, which is hugely prevalent both in the US and UK, has now invaded the Indian film industry and how soon we will hear of celebrities getting paid to get married and then getting paid some more to have baby until they are paid a greater some to get divorced. However, there are some people like Akshay Khanna who have refused to follow the trend. Sources have revealed that the temperamental actor has refused to sell 'exclusive pictures' of himself and his former girl friend to a paparazzi magazine.

Her dream co-star is Shah Rukh Khan, her dream role is Smita Patil's in "Chakra" and she loves Indian costumes. Amrapalli Gupta who is going for an image makeover in the "Chatni Mix" music video where she shakes a leg to the tune of "Kaise Bani Kaise Bani"."I did this album a while ago but because of some problems it didn't get released. But now it is going to be out and I'm really excited about it. People will see a different side of me," said Amrapalli who currently plays the youngest daughter-in-law in "Teen Bahuraaniya" on Zee TV. The show went on air recently and is produced by versatile Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal. "I play the role of Bindi, a fun loving and bindaas bahu. She's rebellious, knows her own mind and refuses to bow down to narrow mindedness. She is also very filmy and happy-go-lucky in a way."

In a first of its kind recording in the world, the city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), an elite 80 member outfit, has joined hands with leading playback singer Sonu Nigam, to create a unique album, 'Rafi Resurrected'. The album originated from a discussion that composer / arranger for the Orchestra, Tim Pottier had with an Indian friend over two years ago. The CBSO then approached Saregama with the vision of releasing an album. The company took the concept a step further by signing Sonu Nigam, who does the best rendition of Mohammad Rafi.  ''I share Saregama’s vision of taking Indian music to a higher platform through endeavors like this,''says Sonu during a media interaction today adding that,''It is time due recognition was given to Rafi Saab who is like my unseen father in the Heavens and whom I revere like a son does.'' Pottier is equally enthusiastic about having Sonu being the voice of the project.''He is an astonishingly talented singer'' he says.

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