Hritik & Suzanne - Just Married!

By Fuad Omar.

The rest of the world may be gleaming at what is being touted as the "Wedding of the Year" with the matrimonial joining of Madonna and Guy Ritchie in Scotland, but for Bollywood fans the phrase has taken on another meaning. India's heartthrob and current golden boy Hrithik Roshan finally entered into wedlock with his childhood sweetheart Suzanne Khan on Wednesday 20 December at a private ceremony.

In a ceremony which fused both Hindu and Muslim rites, the soar-to-fame superstar who shot to the top after his debut venture Kaho Naa Pyar Hai performed Hindu ceremonies while Suzanne, the third daughter of actor-director Sanjay Khan, did the Muslim ceremonies at a heavily-guarded resort owned by her father on the city's outskirts.

Briefly appearing before the media in the midst of the 'haldi' ritual, Hrithik addressed the issue thrown at him of whether his popularity would wane after he had seemingly ditched the nation's girls to marry his special one. "They are my well-wishers. They will continue to wish me luck and success. They will wish me the best", Hrithik said standing beside father Rakesh Roshan and father-in-law Sanjay Khan.

The wedding was a family affair with guests including Dimple Kapadia, Rishi and Randhir Kapoor and Jitendra.
Sanjay Khan said the ceremonies would culminate in a registered marriage since the groom is a Hindu and the bride Muslim.

Days earlier the preparations had begun and this was the first public appearance of the nation's heartthrob since the ceremonies had begun.

The wedding which literally brought India to a standstill and sold more copies of the dailies than any other event in India this year was celebrated over three days. We provide you with the exclusive insight into a day by day account of the event of the year:

Monday, December 18, 2000
Feroz Khan (Suzanne's uncle) held a lavish cocktail party at his farmhouse in Chikkabidarakallu village, which is about 40Km from Bangalore where Hrithik has been shooting for Karan Johar's second venture Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum. Hrithik arrived in Bangalore on Monday at 7:30 in the morning with his parents, Pinky and Rakesh Roshan. On the next flight, singers Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan and Lucky Ali arrived in the garden city as they were to perform later that evening at the party. The 8 o' clock evening flight brought with it more guests including Rishi Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Karan (Vindoo)(who is Dara Singh's son), singer Sukhbir, designer Anna Singh along with Suzanne's friends, hairdresser and jewellery designer.
At 8:30pm the cocktail party kicked off with most guests recovering from jet lag after their journey. The close friends and family present numbered 150. Udit, Lucky, Shankar and Sonu all performed with pop singer Sukhbir as the deejay for the evening. Hrithik was suited and booted in black while Suzanne was dressed in a gold outfit. The party continued until the early hours of the morning, with Hrithik dancing away with Suzanne on the dance floor joined by all the other guests including Fardeen Khan and sister Laila. One of the highlights was Lucky Ali singing Hrithik's superhit song Ek Pal Ka Jeena as Hrithik danced the night away to the delight of all present.

Tuesday, December 19, 2000
Day two of the auspicious event saw more guests arriving in Bangalore. The mehndi ceremony and engagement were to be held today at Sanjay Khan's Golden Palms Resort and by now it was wedding fever all round.
Mehndi was applied to Suzanne, her sisters Farah and Simone and all their friends in the traditional manner as the day drew on and the engagement loomed. The couple were full of joy as the evening got into full swing as the couple took to the dance flooryet again dancing to Hrithik's hit songs. He wore a gray suit, a sky blue shirt and silver tie while Suzanne sported a skin coloured ghagra-choli, fully embroidered with Swarovski crystals. Her jewellery consisted of diamonds designed by sister Farah.

Wednesday, December 20, 2000
This was the big day when a Hriithik would break a million hearts except the one of the person he was about to marry.
The day started early as both Hrithik and Suzanne had a long day ahead full of ceremonies to perform and people to meet. In the afternoon, both performed respective Hindu and Muslim rites, before Hrithik made a brief appearance before the media who had come to attend the press conference, which Sanjay Khan had organised. Dressed in black jeans and a shirt covered with haldi stains, wearing a Gajra strand around his neck, Hrithik spoke to the media from the first floor balcony.
"It feels good", Hrithik said about his marriage. "But I feel I am very tired".
'Are you nervous?' shouted one journalist.
"Should I be?" Hrithik replied. "It's my first (wedding)", he joked.

Sanjay Khan appeased the media present who were complaining how they wanted to meet the happy couple by saying "I and Rakesh Roshan have decided to hold a grand reception for the film industry and the media at Mumbai in January end".
Rakesh Roshan said the couple would fly to Europe for their honeymoon. "We are still planning it", Hrithik added.

When asked about how his bride would be dressed, Hrithik shyly admitted to being clueless as to what Suzanne was going to be wearing: "I am not supposed to see her," he said.
Security was tight at the resort, apparently in view of the reported threats to the lives of Rakesh and Hrithik from the underworld.

Suzanne was not present as she was busy completing the religious ceremonies before the actual wedding ceremony. Her sister Farah stated that the separate rites were conducted out of "sentiment value."
"We have known Hrithik for a long time," she said. "It is only now that he has become a star. He is madly in love with Suzanne," she added.

Hrithik arrived in true style in the evening as he rode on a white horse leading the baraat. All the guests danced until they reached the dulhan's room where Suzanne was already waiting for her prince charming to take her away.
Hrithik's wedding outfit was a white and gold-embroidered Jodhpuri designed by his personal designer Rocky S, while Suzanne looked lovely in a Tarun Tahiliani deep red lehenga encrusted with kundan and zardozi work with an antique gold-net dupatta to go along. She was bedecked in heavy Indian jewellery, wearing a maang tikka and a nathni. Finally, the couple met and after spending some time in her room, they emerged and ventured out to the poolside for the actual ceremony.

A pandit chanted mantras while a maulana recited the aayats starting with Al-Fatiha, throughout which both the bride and groom stood silently. There were neither any pheras nor any kabools signifying a marriage devoid of the controversy some had expected. The non-religious nature of the affair was highlighted by the fact that it was held during the month of Ramzan. The registrar then took centre stage and the couple exchanged rose garlands, signed the register and were finally pronounced husband and wife, much to the joy of everyone present.
As Sukhbir sung a few numbers with the backing of a specially flown out band from New Zealanad, for the guests. Hrithik took his new bride on the floor, scooped her up into his arms, placing her on his shoulders and broke out into the trademark dance steps which have contributed to his fame.

Thursday, December 21, 2000
With everyone still having smiles firmly fixed on their faces and still basking in the glow of the wedding f the year, the guests returned to Mumbai with close family and a few friends remaining behind. The newly weds remained at the resort, spending time with each other and their families. Rakesh Roshan said there'd be no rest for his dear son as before the couple could enjoy their European honeymoon he was heavily committed: "We're returning tomorrow evening to Bombay. Everything went off well. Hrithik might come to Bombay for a week and then go to Austrailia to shoot for Vikram Bhatt's film. Or else he might fly to Hawaii tonight from where he'll proceed to Australia for the film.''
And so as millions sit glued to their sets catching glimpses of Madonna, Guy, Lourdes and Rocco, most international newspapers are already reporting that Bollywood had its own star wedding and the event was far from quiet. India's superstar had married his long-time sweetheart and the couple's happiness showed on their faces. We all at Asiangigs.com wish the happy couple a long and prosperous life together full of joy that knows no bounds and eternal togetherness. Hrithik opened 2000 telling the world "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai" and ended it showing all ke haan..pyaar hai!