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19 March 2024

Getting hooked in 2012: The big fat Bollywood wedding season

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

Gone are the days when the monsoon season signalled the commencement of the wedding march in Bollywood.

These days its raining marriages year round in tinseltown and celebrities are making no bones about hiding their romantic liaisons or their nuptials as the clock ticks over to start a new year for the Indian film industry, complete with rock solid bookings for the neighbourhood wedding bands.

The upcoming 2012 will see many a heart breaking as some of Bollywood’s most eligible bachelors tie the knot, while many young hopefuls from the fairer sex will keep their fingers crossed that the wedding vows will cut down the market share of established actresses and make way for fresh graduates to shine in the spotlight.
 
Still wondering which Mr and Mrs pair is making the cut next season? Emirates 24|7 gives you the lowdown.

Saif Ali Khan-Kareena Kapoor



The world knows them as ‘Saifeena’ but the celebrity couple that set tongues wagging when they declared their love suddenly in 2007 – for Kareena mere weeks after her break-up with long-term beau and actor Shahid Kapoor – news of their impending marriage have been surfacing at intervals like clockwork.

Naturally, everyone expected the chemistry to fizzle rather than sizzle, but when Saif entered the arena sporting a ‘Kareena’ tattoo down his arm, the world and cynics had to sit up and take notice.

However, news of the Saif-Kareena nuptial finally took steam earlier this year when the hero in the relationship announced to news media in a rare show of confession that March 2012 was set, following the released of the duo’s upcoming film, “Agent Vinod”.

Unfortunately, Saif’s personal life took a turn when his father, Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Patuadi passed away suddenly in 2011 and news filtered that the marriage has been postponed.

But all is not lost it seems. December was the month to let the cat out of the bag, when Saif and Kareena’s celebrity sisters, Soha Ali Khan and Karisma Kapoor, respectively, confirmed that it would indeed happen in 2012.

“As far as I know, no date has been finalised yet for the marriage, but it will happen after the release of “Agent Vinod”. We all will let you know about the same as we all want the whole world... everyone to enjoy the moment,” Karisma told reporters at an event.

Listen up Manish Malhotra; it’s surely time to start designing the bridal trousseau we reckon.
 
Riteish Deshmukh-Genelia D’souza



Albeit the excitement surrounding this celebrity couple is a notch or five lesser than that of Saifeena, but the fact still remains that Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’souza are very much in love and are set to tie the knot in February 2012.

In fact, the duo that met during their debut film, “Tujhe Meri Kasam” in 2003 will have a four-day wedding affair, which starts off on February 3 with the henna function, followed by a sangeet or musical night on 4th. The wedding and the reception will be held on the 5th and 6th, respectively.

According to insiders, two five-stars have been booked in the Mumbai suburbs, with the who’s who of tinseltown and the politics expected to attend. Before you wonder, Riteish is the son of politico, Vilasrao Deshmukh.

An eight-year affair in Bollywood is a big thing and the happy couple are ready to take their next step in life. Sometimes, fairytales do come true.

Vidya Balan-Siddharth Roy Kapur



One’s a thinking man’s actress while the other is the head honcho of India’s biggest film production house. Here’s a match that is certainly to look out for in 2012.

Vidya Balan, who is currently riding on the success of her latest, “The Dirty Picture” met UTV CEO, Siddharth Roy Kapur on the sets of “No One Killed Jessica” and romance soon blossomed.

The couple have attempted to keep their canoodling under wraps, but a few cosy pictures from the beaches of Goa and public appearances at events have told their own story.

Stories had also emerged earlier this year that the couple had secretly tied the knot, but Balan rubbished these claims, allegedly adding: “I like Siddharth and would love to get married to him in future.”

Sources close to the couple say wedding bells could chime for them as close as June. Here’s waiting for the good news.

John Abraham-Priya Runchal



“I would love to get married some day,” were the words hunky John Abraham uttered to Emirates 24|7 last month itself.

Fresh off his split with long-time girlfriend Bipasha Basu and painting the town read with investment banker, Priya Runchal, news is that the duo look set to get engaged as early as April 2012, with marriage by December.

Naturally, the actor did not spill all but did tell us in an exclusive chat that he wants to get hitched soon.

“There was a time when I was very frank and open about my relationship, but now I guard my private space like Fort Knox,” he said, adding: “But I will admit that I am at a stage in my life where I do see myself settling down to become the ideal husband; that is my goal.”

His folks are happy of course.

“My mother, of course, would be thrilled at such a prospect, but I haven’t firmed any plans. That’s just media generating stories to create news,” came the somewhat bitter response from the 38-year-old actor who has seen his personal life written about extensively over his eight years with Basu.

During this phase, the couple were said to have split innumerable times, what with Basu linked with Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo at one point, while Abraham linked with likes of actress, Vidya Balan.

But post split with Bips, Abraham has come under a lot of fire from the media and the actor is looking to mend his bad boy image. A marriage might seem a tad extreme, but who are we to comment on true love.

Soha Ali Khan-Kunal Khemu



A royal affair is on the cards for the Pataudi clan in 2012. While big brother Saif Ali Khan is expected to get hitched in March 2012, it seems sister Soha isn’t far behind.

The actress is also set to marry next year according to reports, with long-time beau and small-time actor, Kunal Khemu.

The couple have been making a lot of public appearances of late, with Khemu even confirming to the media that they are indeed talking marriage.

However, it was a tad surprising that his presence wasn’t felt at the Nawab of Pataudi’s funeral in September this year, considering he would at least come to pay his last respects to Soha’s father.

But the family has apparently given their approval so maybe we can expect a joint celebration next year.

Dia Mirza-Sahil Sangha



Before you go Sahil who, the former beauty queen and actress Dia Mirza has been dating the director of her latest film, “Love Breakup Zindagi”, for nearly three years now.

Naturally, a wedding had to follow if a breakup didn’t.

The actress has also confirmed wedding bells are to follow in 2012, when in a chat with Times of India, she said: “Sahil and I are in a very committed relationship. We’ve been dating over for three years now.”

She added, "My dad’s theory is going to kick in; he said the only way you can know if you can spend the rest of your life with a man is if you’ve survived three years with him.

“In the first year, he’s at his best behaviour. In the second year, his true shades start coming out, and if you’ve survived the third year, you know you can go the distance.”

Now that the deadline is done with, next year is their finish line. Here’s wishing them luck.

Neetu Chandra-Randeep Hooda



Do we care, is the question to ask. But we shall attempt to conceal our claws and talk about the other 2012 marriage, one between a certain Neetu Chandra and former Sushmita Sen beau, Randeep Hooda.

While media hasn’t really bothered the duo (who would read it anyways), but the rumour mill is churning that the two small-time actors are said to be hitched next year, albeit neither wants to comment on it.

In fact, Hooda told Times of India earlier this year that his relationship is nobody’s business.

“Whatever there is, is between us and is nobody’s business,” when quizzed on Neetu, adding: “Marriage is not on the cards now as I don’t feel settled in my life and career. I’m not ready for the responsibility and commitment that comes with marriage.”

Looks like all that is about to change now.

Rani Mukherji-Aditya Chopra



If this wedding goes through as planned, Bollywood’s biggest open secret will finally reach its grand finale: the nuptials of Rani Mukherji and Aditya Kapoor.

The award-winning actress and the Yash Raj Films’ head honcho have been the topic of gossip fodder for years now, with Rani even being branded as the ‘other woman’ in breaking up Aditya’s first marriage to Payal Khanna.
 
His celebrity dad, Yash Chopra and wife Pamela are apparently against the marriage but when its love at stake, who can argue.

Rani has already gone on record that she has promised her father that she will marry in 2012, while the actress was even caught on camera celebrating Diwali at the Chopra home with Aditya in tow.

Seems like the cat is out of the bag now. Let’s just get this marriage on track now guys and dispense with the drama.

Also Read:

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Will Shah Rukh ring in
New Year aboard QE2?