Dubai An unprecedented security cover awaits Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan (popularly known as Big B), his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and other ambassadors of an Indian jewellery brand when they unveil their first overseas branches in the UAE on Thursday.
Over 375 security personnel will be deployed by Kerala-based Kalyan Jewellers for the opening ceremonies of its six UAE locations — Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Qusais, Karama, Meena Bazaar and Bur Dubai — all in one day.
“There will be experts specialised in crowd control and specifically trained by Dubai Police and a closed protection team will guard the celebrities,” Nayeem Moosa, the managing director of Gentur Security Services, told XPRESS.
There will be a special elevated stage set up in the car park for the Big B, possibly the biggest draw of the whole event, when he visits the shops in Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar. The other stars include South Indian actors Nagarjuna, Prabhu, Shivaraj Kumar and Manju Warrier. Each brand ambassador will be escorted by a personal security team of 20 members. Dubai Police will also have a significant presence.
Prabhu and Warrier will be taken by a chartered flight to Abu Dhabi for a 10am opening before they are flown back for an 11.45am unveiling in Sharjah. Aishwarya will then join Warrier for the opening at Al Qusais while Amitabh will do the honours in Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar in the evening.
The biggest crowds are expected in the narrow lanes of Meena Bazaar which went into a tizzy recently when actress Kareena Kapoor Khan came for a similar purpose.
“The crowds will be massive and Meena Bazaar is a congested area, but special arrangements are in place for family viewing. There are adequate back-up plans in case our plan A goes awry,” Moosa said, allaying common fears.
