AT the start of the week, Bollywood celebrity actress Shilpa Shetty became Mrs Raj Kundra. Her marriage to London-based millionaire businessman Raj Kundra, which has been the stuff of much speculation, took place in Mumbai.

The couple did their best to make sure that the wedding was a colourful and grand affair.

Early Tuesday afternoon, Mr Kundra, who wore a maroon and gold sherwani (long Indian suit), arrived in a horse-drawn chariot to marry his blushing bride in Khandala, about 100km from Mumbai.

He was accompanied by his family and friends, including Bollywood actor Jackky Bhagnani, reported DNA India.

Mr Kundra, who is ranked No 198 among the UK’s richest Asians, was welcomed by Shilpa’s parents and her sister, Shamita, who recently left reality show Bigg Boss to attend the wedding.

The marriage vows were exchanged in the Mangalorean tradition while the pre-marriage rituals were conducted in the Punjabi style.

Shilpa’s wedding saree was a traditional burgundy and red Bunt saree, with a crystal-studded blouse to match. She comes from the Bunt community in Mangalore while Kundra is a Punjabi.

The extravagant ceremony was an exclusive affair with only close family and friends attending, but the couple will hold a reception in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Shilpa’s clothes were designed by well-known Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani, reported the Siasat Daily.

During the pre-wedding ceremonies on Saturday, Shilpa stunned the guests with a very unusual and untraditional dress – a hot pink kaftan studded with Swarovski crystals instead of a more predictable traditional Indian dress or saree.

Later, she wore a beautiful top and pants ensemble which fit her figure like a glove.

For the couple’s wedding reception on Tuesday, Shilpa will wear a saree which looks more like a gown that has about 8,000 crystals sewn onto it.

The South Indian actress became famous outside of her home country when she won the UK reality TV show, Big Brother, in 2007 after being subjected to allegedly racist comments from fellow contestant Jade Goody.

She remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about and photographed figures, reported AFP.

She said in her blog early yesterday: “This is it!” and went on to write about how her life had “been turned upside down, inside out in the past week as the marriage is nearing”.

She continued: “I look forward to meeting fans under my new name Shilpa Shetty Kundra.”

She told the Times of India yesterday: “This is my dream wedding. We plan to shuttle between Mumbai and London after marriage. I shall strive to be as successful at home as I am outside.”

When reminded that she was marrying a millionaire divorce, Shilpa told AFP: “Raj is experienced and hopefully won’t make the same mistakes again. We are used to a certain lifestyle and it’s practical to choose a spouse who can at least match those luxuries, if not more...

“But money isn’t everything. Raj and I connect on a different level.”

Shilpa said: “I’m desperate to start a family. I just love children, and we’ve a beautiful ready-made nursery (in the new house). I want at least two children.”

This article was first published in The Straits Times.