`Ratan...` gets response from 54,863 bachelors

Ratan`s quest for a groom has begun with 54,863 hopefuls seeking her hand.

New Delhi: Actress Ratan Rajput`s quest for a groom on TV has begun with 54,863 hopefuls from Meerut to Pakistan seeking her hand in the upcoming reality show `Ratan Ka Rishta`.

The actress, best known for her role in `Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo`, is looking for her soul-mate on the third season of Imagine`s `Swayamvar` after Rakhi Sawant`s infamous engagement and Rahul Mahajan`s controversial TV marriage to Dimpy Ganguly. In India, Uttar Pradesh tops the list with majority of the entries coming in from Meerut and Lucknow, while Delhi stands second followed by cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhopal, Bangalore, Patna, Chandigarh, Ranchi and Hyderabad. Entries are also coming in from UK, followed by countries like Italy, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Canada, US and Pakistan. Young men from different walks of life have applied with professions ranging from Doctors, to engineers, professors, lawyers, businessmen, chefs, bankers, managers and software analysts. "I want to thank everybody for their continuous support to me. I hope that with the blessings of God, my family and viewers, I find a true soul-mate," Ratan said in a statement. The show, which exploits Indian fondness for weddings and match-making, has been successful in generating eyeballs and the channel hopes to get lucky the third time. "The response for Season 3 ? Ratan Ka Rishta has been very good. We have entries from all over the world and with somany prospective grooms on hand Ratan has been spoilt for choice. We are confident to find the right match for Ratan," Nikhil Madhok, Imagine`s senior director, marketing and communications said. PTI