SHILPA’S DAD MISSING AT HER SANGEET CEREMONY

Raj Kundra gave a Michael Jackson act.

Shilpa Shetty's dancing skills are renowned, and her groom-to-be Raj Kundra is no less a dancer - he amazed everyone at their Sangeet ceremony by imitating late pop legend Michael Jackson's moves.

"Raj and Shilpa gave a stunning performance. Shilpa danced to the song 'Mere hathon mein naun naun chudiyan' and Raj did a Michael Jackson performance, which was beautiful," said Kiran Bawa, Shilpa's friend and business partner.

Shilpa is tying the knot with Raj, a London-based businessman, today (Nov 22) at Kiran's Khandala bungalow. "Instead of being a businessman Raj should have taken acting as his career," added Kiran.

Shipa's wedding is one of the most talked about in tinsel town but the Sangeet ceremony last night (Nov 21) was a small affair and attended by close friends and family.

Shilpa's sister Shamita teamed up with recruit Jackky Bhagnani for a skit.

Jackky, son of film producer Vashu Bhagnani, also performed on the charbusters such as "Dhan te nan" from the film "Kaminey" and the title song of "Om Shanti Om". He too was impressed with Raj's dancing.

"He was superb while giving that Michael Jackson performance," said Jackky.

However, Shilpa's father, Surendra Shetty, was missing.

Explaining the nonattendance, Shilpa's mother, Sunanda, said: "He was not well, so he couldn't attend the get together. It's sad that he couldn't come, but he will surely be there for the wedding."

Bhangra pop singer Daler Mehendi was also there and set the stage by belting out his hit numbers like "Na na na na na re" and "Bolo ta ra ra" among others. He also sang the title song of "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom".

The sangeet ceremony ended at around 2.30 a.m.

RAJ KUNDRA SETS OFF TO MARRY SHILPA

Rohit Roy and Jackky Bhagnani in marriage march.

London-based businessman Raj Kundra left in a chariot this (Nov 22) evening to marry his actress fiancee Shilpa Shetty in Khandala, a hill station in Maharashtra.

Kundra left Amrit Villa, situated about five minutes away from Bawa Villa, where the wedding is going to be held, in a chariot driven by two horses.

Clad in a maroon sherwani with golden embroidery, Kundra was sporting a turban with his face implied by a sehra (string of flowers/pearls).

He was also holding a sword in his hand, as per Indian tradition.

Noticed dancing in the baraat (marriage procession) were actors Rohit Roy and Jackky Bhagnani.

Half the road was blocked by security guards by ropes on both sides of the chariot while the police were trying to find the way the traffic on the other half.

SHILPA SHETTY TIES THE KNOT WITH RAJ KUNDRA

Clad in a red sari and pompous diamonds and emeralds, Shilpa Shetty exchanged wedding vows with London-based businessman Raj Kundra in a close-knit family affair in Khandala.

Shilpa Shetty married London-based businessman Raj Kundra in a prolific ceremony at Khandala.

Previously Raj had arrived in a chariot decorated with flowers and drawn by two horses from Amrit Villa, located about five minutes away from Bawa Villa, where the wedding was held.

Clad in a maroon sherwani with golden embroidery, Kundra was sporting a turban with his face indirect by a sehra (string of pearls). He was also holding a sword in his hand, as per Indian tradition.

Noticed dancing in the baraat (marriage procession) were actors Rohit Roy and Jackky Bhagnani.

Shilpa, decked in a burgundy and red saree designed by Tarun Tahiliani, married Raj in a Mangalorean ceremony.

Shilpa's beau Raj Kundra wore creations by Shantanu and Nikhil.

Before the marriage, it was the wedding card, which created a buzz for it's look and content.

A reception will be held in Mumbai on 24 November.

SHILPA IS FEELING ‘JUST LIKE ANY BRIDE’

She shares her thoughts on her blog.

Shilpa Shetty, who is marrying London-based Raj Kundra on Nov 22, is facing pre-nuptial blues. She admits she is experiencing "mixed feelings" as the D-day draws near.

"To all those who want to know how I am feeling, I just want to say I'm going through a lot of mixed feelings - happiness, enthusiasm, nervousness, just like any bride to be and sadness as well," Shilpa posted on her blog.

The 34-year-old actress is tying the knot with capitalist Raj Kundra, whom she has been dating since 2007.

"Honestly it still hasn't sunk in completely, it's a strange emotion, can't describe it. The only consolation is that I'm tying the knot with Raj - a man who lets me be myself and doesn't want me or my life to change and that erases premarital jitters," she said.

"Obviously marriage is a huge step and with it come responsibilities, and since I believe in the institution, so I hope and pray that I can make ours a success."

Shilpa says she has been busy with the wedding preparations for the past two weeks but is also trying hard to fulfill her professional commitments so that she can set out for a one-month honeymoon with Raj after the wedding.

She is currently shooting in Hyderabad for the last schedule of Indo-Chinese project "Desire".

"I'm shooting in Hyderabad, everything had to be done before I'd left for this schedule. In the midst of Odissi rehearsals (can you believe it! ‘cause I am shooting for a song here), (I'm handling) guests list, hotel arrangements, wedding planners, trousseau outfits, the list is never ending.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I will be shooting and dubbing till a week before the wedding. Got to finish all work commitments before I leave for a month after the wedding," she said.

The actress is now only hoping that her younger sister Shamita Shetty, who is a participant on reality show "Bigg Boss 3", comes out to be with her in the "last few days at home".

Shilpa will have a quiet wedding ceremony with close friends and family Nov 22 and has plans for a lavish reception two days later.

SHILPA SHETTY INVITES JERMAINE JACKSON FOR DINNER

Says parting with sister Shamita was ‘heartbreaking’

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty "caught up on good old times" with her former "Celebrity Big Brother" housemate Jermaine Jackson, late pop legend Michael Jackson's brother, at her house here.

"I met Jermaine Jackson and his wife Halima after nearly three years...caught up on old times, got wistful over our understanding in the 'Big Brother' house. It had been so long but we picked up from where we left, one thing being constant - our friendship, so was happy on that front," Shilpa, who won "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2007, posted on her blog.

Jermaine landed in India on Friday for 10 days to team up with singer Adnan Sami on an album being produced by T-Series. During his stay here, he will also shoot for a concept video for the same song.

Shilpa says their meeting on Sunday (Oct 4) night was "a strange co-incidence" as her younger sister Shamita was heading for "Bigg Boss", the Indian version of "Celebrity Big Brother".

Shilpa is worried about how Shamita will fare well in "Bigg Boss".

"I scurried to spend the last two days before she left, tried to dissuade her considering she'll be away for three months if she lasts. (I) can't describe how tricky our last goodbye was. Now I know what she went through when I left three years ago to be a part of 'Big Brother'. We are very close so it was heartbreaking. But I'll get to see her everyday if that's any relief."