Sonam Kapoor now a married woman: Stars galore at celebration

After dating for two years, actress Sonam Kapoor and businessman Anand Ahuja got married at a private bungalow on Tuesday morning in Mumbai.

Kapoor, who won an Indian National Award award for Neerja, donned a traditional red and gold lehenga by designer Anuradha Vakil for her big day. She paired it with heavy jewellery and chooda (a set of red bangles worn by a Punjabi bride).

Kapoor and Ahuja met through their common friend, designer Pernia Qureshi, a couple of years ago. Kapoor had always maintained silence on her relationship status and kept it under wraps. However, there was plenty of proof of their budding relationship on their Instagram accounts. From their mushy selfies to their cosy getaways, the couple has been winning the hearts of fans.

While dad and actor Anil Kapoor greeted the paparazzi before the wedding ceremony, the actress’ family and close friends including Arjun Kapoor, Karan Johar, Jacqueline Fernandez and Swara Bhaskar posed for shutterbugs. Acting legend Amitabh Bachchan along with son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter Shweta Bachchan graced the occasion.

 Actor Anil Kapoor

Sonam’s cousins and late actress Sridevi’s daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, were all smiles for the cameras with their father Boney Kapoor.

Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and producer Boney Kapoor along with his daughters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor

The wedding was performed according to Sikh rites. While the women wore stunning traditional attire, the men tied white safas (turban) on their heads signifying the wedding celebration.

Sonam’s best friends, actresses Fernandez and Bhaskar, opted for festive-coloured lehengas by designer Anita Dongre and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, respectively. They also added the traditional paranda (a braided hair extension). Cousin’s Janhvi, Khushi and Anshula Kapoor stunned in light pastel lehengas.

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan along with her husband Saif Ali Khan and son Taimur

Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan along with their son and the youngest guest, Taimur Ali Khan, made for an adorable family as they colour-coordinated in pastel pink and posed for pictures. While Kareena opted for an Anita Dongre floor length anarakali, sister Karisma Kapoor looked beautiful in a Sabyasachi floral lehenga.

Kareena, who is also best friends with the bride’s younger sister and producer Rhea Kapoor, will be sharing screen with Sonam in their next movie, Veere Di Wedding (out in the UAE on May 31).

A night prior to the wedding, the Kapoors and the Ahujas hosted a mehendi (henna) party at Sunteck Signature Island, in Mumbai. The pre-wedding bash was attended by the who’s who of B-town including Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar, Rekha, Shilpa Shetty, Varun Dhawan and choreographer Farah Khan Kunder.

Sonam’s friends from the industry included designers Kunal Rawal, Arpita Mehta, Shehla Khan, Masaba Gupta and renowned international fashion duo, Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo of Ralph & Russo.

While there was no doubt that the Kapoor-Ahuja wedding was going to be a starry affair, singer and performer Sukhbeer added to the fun and frolic with his live performance. Anil and Sanjay along with Johar and Shetty grooved on the dance floor until the very end.

The theme for the mehendi party was ‘traditional in shades of white’. While Sonam donned a white and gold embellished Abu Jani – Sandeep Khosla custom-made lehenga, actress Katrina Kaif, Karisma Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar wore pieces by designer Manish Malhotra.

Actor Arjun Kapoor's sister Anshula Kapoor

It’s all work and no play for the new bride as she will now be preparing to attend the Cannes Film Festival at the French Riviera next week as the L’Oreal India Brand Ambassador. This will be her eighth red carpet appearance at the festival.

— Simran Kanal is an intern at Gulf News.