20 November,2014 02:15 PM IST | | The Hitlist Team
The film industry's top stars dazzled Hyderabad as Salman Khan's sister Arpita tied the knot with her long-time beau, Aayush Sharma, in what is being billed as the wedding of the year
Aamir Khan, Arpita Khan, Aayush Sharma and Salman Khan
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad had never seen such a steady flow of film stars in a single day - until Salman Khan decided to organise a fairytale wedding for his sister in the City of Nizams.
Photos: Bollywood celebrities at Arpita Khan's wedding
Aamir Khan, Arpita Khan, Aayush Sharma and Salman Khan
As Arpita Khan exchanged wedding vows with her long-time businessman boyfriend, Aayush Sharma, on Tuesday, the star-studded extravaganza became the talk of the town with social media providing film buffs intermittent glimpses of the event.
Arpita and Aayush at the jaimala ritual with Sohail Khan looking on. Pics/PTI
The wedding gala saw the who's who of Bollywood turning up, friends, frenemies and exes included.
From left: Salim Khan, Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma's parents shower blessings on the couple
The Nizam-era Falaknuma Palace, which was converted into a luxury hotel four years ago, was entirely booked - which includes the Nizam suite whose tariff is around Rs 5 lakh a night - for the wedding gala attended by nearly 250 guests. The dress code was traditional wear.
From left: Arbaaz, Sohail and Salman Khan with the newly-weds
Rousing reception
The ceremony started at around 4pm and went on till the early hours of Wednesday. On Tuesday, the groom arriving in a horse-driven carriage accompanied by two bands, one from Delhi and the other local.
The couple take the pheras while the Khan brothers look on and (right) the 150-kg wedding cake made over three days by seven bakers
His baarat was received by the Khan brothers and their mom, Salma and escorted into the marriage hall. The jaimala (exchanging garlands) and pheras (taking rounds around the sacred fire) followed. Arpita glowed in a red lehenga while Aayush opted for an off-white sherwani.
From left: Aamir Khan, Salim Khan, Salman Khan, Mika Singh, Arpita Khan and Sohail Khan
Let the music play
In the evening, singer Mika Singh is said to have belted out many of Salman's popular songs. Salim Khan also hummed some old melodies with Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail joining in. Salman then crooned Jumma chumma de se while Aamir Khan sang Aati kya khandala, say sources.
From left: Mika Singh, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Aamir Khan get on the dance floor
On the dance floor
There were also some special dance performances by close friends and family members, the source adds. "While Katrina was seen shaking a leg with Salman and Aamir on Sheila ki jawaani and few other tracks, Helen too did a jig. The celebration continued till Wednesday morning.
Varun Dhawan with Salman
The guests were treated to a lavish spread of traditional as well as exotic delicacies for lunch and dinner. "The dinner included Hyderabadi cuisine like biryani and pathar ka gosht. There were also a special request from the Khans for kachche gosht ki biryani and haleem," a source reveals.
Arpita with Deanne Pandey
The bidaai on Wednesday afternoon was reportedly followed by a farewell lunch for the guests. "The Khans have always been known for their hospitality and the wedding made it evident," a source close to the Khans says.
Priyanka Chopra and Sania Mirza
Pre-wedding drama
Just after the Khans had arrived in Hyderabad amidst tight security, a group of protestors is said to have marched from Mughalpura to Falaknuma, asking Salman to "go back to Mumbai".
Arpita in the bidaai palanquin
The actor had invited their wrath as during one of his Being Human fashion shows, a model had walked the ramp with 'Allah' inscribed at the bottom of her attire. The situation was brought under control by the local police, who reportedly arrested a few protestors.
