Fans lose pin-up boy to Suzanne

Fans lose pin-up boy to Suzanne
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BANGALORE, DECEMBER 20: Eventually reel life did spill over into the event as Hrithik Roshan led a mock baraat to Suzanne Khan's doorstep at the Golden Palms Resort and Spa on Wednesday. Though the two had agreed to a simple registered marriage, albeit preceded by all the attendant rituals that accompany traditional Hindu and Muslim wedding ceremonies, the ghoda and the baraat were elements that Hrithik couldn't resist.

Apparently, Sanjay Khan played along. To indulge his prospective son-in-law, he arranged a horse. The superstar, followed by his baraat, then rode around the resort for a while.

The wedding ceremony started almost an hour behind schedule. But, it was worth the wait as Hrithik clad in a white jodhpuri and sehra rode across a bridge to an island in the middle of a pool accompanied by much dancing and music. The bride, clad in a resplendent maroon lehenga-choli and a gold Tarun Tahiliani dupatta and the groom signed on the dotted line while sub-registrar Bangalore North monitored the registered wedding.

However, the chanting of mantras and the alam continued on the sides. When Hrithik and Suzanne had been pronounced man and wife, fireworks erupted into the sky in celebration.

And to talk about the celebrations, belly dancing, a musical performance by Sukhbir and a special array of Indian food with kebabs were the hallmarks of the evening.

But even as Hrithik was horsing around, the paparazzi were clamouring for a dekho. Initially, Khan expressed his inability to bring Hrithik and Suzanne before the media, saying both of them were separately engaged in ceremonies.

But the journalists and photographers insisted that he present the two for atleast a briefwhile as it would make for a great photo-op. Sanjay Khan refused to budge: ``Can you interrupt the ceremony of your daughter and son?'' he asked.

The media stood their ground, finally to win a half-concession.

``I have good news. Hrithik has agreed to be with you for a couple of minutes,'' said Khan.

Soon Hrithik Roshan, dressed casually, sporting a haldi tikka, a small mehendi motif on his hand and a flower garland, accompanied by his father appeared in the lobby of Golden Palms Resort.

``Hi, how you're doing?'' he waved at the crowd and posed (after being requested to remove his sunglasses) for pictures flanked by his father and prospective father-in-law.

How was he feeling? ``Good... though a little tired,'' he beamed.

Rakesh Roshan said the new couple would fly to Europe on honeymoon. ``We are still planning it,'' Hrithik added.

Was he nervous? ``Should I be?'' he asked playfully before adding, ``It is my first time, you know.''

Khan asked, ``So you have plans for more?''

``Oh, no! Just once will be fine,'' said Hrithik earnestly.

Won't his fans be heartbroken by the wedding?

``I don't think they are heartbroken. I think they are happy for me and wish me well,'' he said. A few more meaningless questions and the star was led away for the ``small, private, family affair'' as Khan described the wedding.

Indeed, the marriage was attended by only few close family members and friends of Khan and Rakesh Roshan. Among them were Rishi and Randhir Kapoors (Rishi Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan have been longtime buddies and neighbours), Jeetendra, Dimple Kapadia with daughter Rinke, Miss World Yukta Mookhey and mother, the Soorna brothers (famous for hosting Bollywood shows), Yash Chopra's son Uday Chopra who recently made his debut in Mohabbatein, Adarsh Gill, Kunal Kapoor, designer Anna Singh, choreographer Farah Khan and others. The Bachchans were invited but they could not make it. The Big B was away in London.

Chief Minister of Karnataka SM Krishna and his wife, Minister of Industries RV Deshpande, Revenue Minister HC Srikantiah, Minister of Medical Education Nafees Fazal, Roshan Baig, and Dharam Singh were among the politicos who came to bless the couple.