Bride in Waiting

The show,called Rakhi ka Swayamvar,will be aired on NDTV Imagine. It will take the form of a nationwide hunt,with 15 prospective grooms being picked to compete for Sawant’s hand. Regarding her criteria for picking a husband,she says,“I want someone who is warm and affectionate,and respects women. He should also enjoy dancing.” She claims this is just a way to repay the affection that the public has lavished on her: “The public has made me who I am today. So I want to make them a part of this important event in my life. I don’t think there’s a better way of doing this than by getting married on national television.” Sawant has recently broken up with her on-off boyfriend of two years,Abhishek Awasthi.

In the past,attempts at getting married on television have not always been successful. One of the most infamous televised marriages was on the American show Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? in which 50 girls competed to marry an unnamed multi-millionaire. However,after murky details of millionaire Rick Rockwell’s past emerged,the winner Darva Conger had her marriage to him annulled,saying that in her heart she was not married to him.

Sawant,however,is blissfully optimistic about her chances of marital happiness. Besides,she points out,“I don’t want to be like one of those big stars who don’t allow the public beyond the front gates during their weddings. I feel that my fans should be a part of my wedding.”