Esha talks about her 'godh bharai' ceremony, where Hema did 'nazar bandh' and Jaya played school teacher
Upala KBR (DNA; August 25, 2017)

Five years after tying the knot at Juhu's ISKCON temple, Esha Deol and her husband Bharat Takhtani were at the temple again yesterday to celebrate another new chapter in their lives. Deol's mother-in-law Puja Takhtani hosted a 'godh bharai' ceremony, replete with Sindhi traditions. Hema Malini and Dharmendra's elder daughter previously had another 'godh bharai' ceremony — Valaikaapu styled according to the South Indian customs and traditions — on Sunday, which was hosted by Malini at her Juhu bungalow. Yesterday's function was attended by the senior actor's industry friends, Jaya Bachchan and Dimple Kapadia.

Seven-months-pregnant Esha Deol looked radiant in a bright pink-and-gold lehenga designed by Neeta Lulla. It was an emotional moment for Malini as she performed the nazar bandh on her daughter. Kapadia and Bachchan performed the Sindhi ritual of 'tel kumkum' (a ritual where they put oil and vermilion on the to-be-mom's forehead), as they blessed the young couple.



Turns out, Bachchan, ever the disciplinarian, played the strict school teacher to the hilt at the ceremony too. Reveals a guest present at the event, "The moment Jayaji noticed someone from Panditji's team clicking a selfie, she reprimanded him saying, 'aap puja mein dhyan dijiye'. Everyone burst into laughter!"

Flushed from the ceremony, Deol says, "It was a wonderful ceremony with just Bharat's and my families in attendance. Everyone present performed the 'tel kumkum'. As part of the rituals, Bharat and I took three pheras around the fire. I joked with Bharat that he was stuck with me again."

Deol was elated that Bachchan and Kapadia came to the function. "They are like family. Jaya aunty and I have a very special connection — our family functions are incomplete without her."