Aishwarya Rai

The countdown to the wedding of Bollywood hottest star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai began here last night with a glittering sangeet ceremony where Amitabh Bachchan personally welcomed the family of the bride-to-be at the gate of his residence `Pratiksha’ here. Mehendi ceremony will take place today at Aishwarya’s Bandra residence.

To the beat of drums and Bhangra dancers, Amitabh welcomed Krishnaraj and Vrinda Rai, parents of Aishwariya, at the gates of his house in suburban Juhu yesterday. Industrialist Anil Ambani, attired in kurta and pyjama, accompanied the superstar in welcoming the Rais.

Donning a white crystal-studded kurta, Amitabh smiled and chatted with the Rais as he folded his hands in a traditional welcome.

A scuffle broke out between the gathered media and the security personnel as shutterbugs tried to get their best shots.

Several celebrities from the world of films and politics attended the Sangeet ceremony.

The groom arrived at around 9.30 pm with sister Shweta Nanda and her daughter Navya in a white limousine.

Other guests included actors Ajay Devgan and his wife Kajol, Director Karan Johar with his mother Hiroo, Director Ram Gopal Varma, Sarod players Amaan Ali and Ayaan Ali, sons of Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi also put in an appearance as did model-actor Bikram Saluja with his wife Schauna Chauhan.

Others seen at Pratiksha included Amitabh’s brother Ajitabh with his family as well as Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Sahara head honcho Subrata Roy.