The stage is set for Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan’s wedding with businessman Aayush Sharma in Hyderabad on November 18 as the actor’s family landed in the city.
Arpita and other female members of the family landed at the Hyderabad airport on the evening of November 17 and drove straight to Taj Falaknuma, the wedding venue, amid tight security.
Khan, his brothers Sohail and Arbaaz, their father Saleem Khan, mothers Salma and Helen and other relatives also checked into the heritage hotel, which has turned into a fortress for the wedding.
A large number of Khan’s fans stood on both sides of the road leading to the hotel to catch a glimpse of the star. They were, however, disappointed due to the tight security.
“I have been standing for more than two hours. I am a big fan of Salman and met him on a couple of occasions,” said Mohammad Saleem, a youth from the Muslim-majority old city, where the hotel is located.
Tight security
As the palace is located on a hilltop, the security was tightened on the road leading to the hotel. Security personnel at the hotel allowed guests and staff members in only after screening.
Security will be further tightened on November 18 when many top Bollywood stars, corporate honchos and other celebrities turn up for the wedding.
Khan has booked the entire hotel for two days — November 18 and 19 — for Rs20 million. Sources said this was done to ensure that nobody gatecrashes into the festivities by booking a table at the restaurant.
The wedding celebrations began in Mumbai on November 16 with ceremonies such as haldi and mehendi at the actor’s house.
Shah Rukh Khan, who blessed Arpita at the ceremony on November 16, is also expected to attend the wedding.
Guest list
Khan personally invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the wedding but the latter expressed his inability due to his ongoing foreign tour. Congress president Sonia Gandhi is also said to be among the invitees but she is also not likely to come.
Though the actor has also invited Amitabh Bachchan, there is no confirmation whether he will turn up. Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan and his wife Kareena Kapoor, Dharmendra and his wife Hema Malini, Karan Johar, David Dhawan and many other film personalities have reportedly confirmed their participation.
