Mumbai, Sept 30: Karisma Kapoor is finally Biwi No 1 and the fact that the Big B and son Abhishek were conspicuous by their absence did nothing to detract from the star-studded show.
While it was expected that Bollywood's First Family would stay away from the wedding of the season, a stream of Mercedes brought everyone else who mattered to the R K Villa in Chembur.
It was a nightmare for the traffic police and security personnel as bystanders crammed the narrow entrance to the villa for a glimpse of the starry guests.
'Chi Chi' Govinda, one half of the raucous pair that gave the film industry some of its most memorable hits, was amongst the first to arrive. Also spotted were actor Salman Khan and ex-girlfriend Sangeeta Bijlani in a wine coloured jaaldar sari who came with husband Azharuddin in tow. However those who expected to see Vivek Oberoi in more exciting company (namely Aishwarya Rai) than father Suresh, were sorely disappointed.
But other tinseltown couples, including Twinkle-Akshay Kumar and Sridevi-Boney Kapoor, didn't let people down. While Mrs Kumar made her mark in a bright yellow saree, Karisma's self-confessed idol looked resplendent in off white. Sri's daughters too were dolled up in magenta lehngas.
David Dhawan, Karisma's Director No.1, was also on hand to bless the newly-weds. He made an appearance alongwith Rakesh Roshan, Jitendra, Vinod Khanna and Amrish Puri. Jackie Shroff, fresh from the 'Boom' that went burst, zoomed off on a bike, ostensibly to avoid being mobbed!
The forenoon Sikh nuptials were held at the Kapoors' ancestral Deonar Cottage, done up as a 'Sheesh Mahal' by designer Gaitri Marwah. Guests, who were housed in a 4,200 sq. meter tent area, savoured over a 100-odd delicacies laid out for their gastronomical delight.
Though the actual ceremonies took place away from media glare, those lucky enough to be in attendance said the 'couple looked adorable.'
According to sources close to the family, while Kareena donned a ravishing green lenga for her sister's Big Day, mother Babita wore a sari in light pastel pink for the first time in her life, ostensibly at designer Manish Malhotra' insistence. The bride made a brief appearance before the media in a light pink lehnga whilst the groom looked classy in an off white safa and sherwani.
Interestingly, despite the groom's business connections, Anand Mahindra was among the few corporate honchos who graced the occasion.
Also doing a disappearing act were those close to the Bachchans. A handwritten invite from father Randhir Kapoor notwithstanding, those who failed to turn up included Reliance MD Anil Ambani, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Sahara CEO Subroto Roy.
Shahrukh Khan (Karisma's co-star in the blockbuster 'Dil To Pagal Hai') and filmmaker Karan Johar also left no one in doubt about their allegiance in the cold war between Bollywood's two most important families, by deciding to stay away. Sonali Bendre and husband Goldie Behl (a close Abhishek friend) were also among those missing. Shweta Bachchan and Nikhil Nanda likewise defied the Kapoor connection to go AWOL.
But it's a family quagmire that the newlyweds may have to confront time and again. While Karisma's abortive engagement to Abhishek last year is a well-known fact, not many know of the close ties that exist between Karisma's former boyfriend and her current soul mate. The Bachchans and the Kapurs have been on good terms for a very long time now and it may not be easy looking the other way. Making the situation more piquant is the fact that the Big B and Kapoors are bonded together by ties of their own.
Meanwhile, the couple is determined to begin their marital life with a splash. After the 'vidai' scheduled to take place later tonight, they will head to a suburban hotel. A honeymoon in Europe, along with a three-day Mediterranean cruise should follow soon.