Starting today, wedding ceremonies will commence in the Daggubati and Bajaj households leading up to the D-Day on August 8
Suhas Yellapantula (BOMBAY TIMES; August 4, 2020)

One of the most high-profile weddings in tinsel town this year is all set to be a low-key affair. Rana Daggubati will tie the knot with Miheeka Bajaj in a traditional ceremony on August 8. Although there were rumours of a lavish wedding at a Hyderabad hotel, the Daggubati and Bajaj families revealed that the wedding will take place at Ramanaidu Studios and just like the roka, it will be limited to close family members.

“There will not be more than 30 people present at the wedding. We want to limit the guest list to just family and we haven’t invited even some of our closest friends, within and outside the film industry. The reality is that Coronavirus cases continue to rise and we don’t want our celebrations to risk anybody’s health, so I want to set the right example. The ceremony will be small, but beautiful,” says Daggubati Suresh Babu, Rana’s father.

BIO-SECURE BUBBLE TO BE CREATED TO KEEP COVID-19 AT BAY
The hosts are planning to transform the entire wedding venue into a bio-secure bubble and will take all necessary safety precautions. “Everybody who will attend the wedding will get tested for COVID-19. We will also keep sanitisers across the venue and maintain social distance. It’s a happy occasion and we want to make it a safe one, too,” shares Suresh Babu.

Agreeing, Bunty Bajaj, the bride’s mother, says, “It’s a special day for all of us and we want to celebrate it the right way. Safety comes first and we will not compromise in this regard.”

PELLIKODUKU FUNCTION AT THE DAGGUBATI HOME; MATA KI CHOWKI AT THE BAJAJ RESIDENCE
Ahead of the wedding, there will also be traditional ceremonies at the bride and groom’s residence, including the pellikoduku function, haldi and mehendi ceremonies and mata ki chowki. “All functions will take place with our traditional Telugu and Marwari customs. We wanted all the functions to go on just like every other wedding. We don’t want our kids to miss out on anything. Only difference would be the reduced guest list. Miheeka and I have designed the entire theme for the wedding and we got a team from Delhi to execute it. I want to keep the theme a surprise, so I won’t reveal what it is yet, but it will be truly special,” says Bunty, adding, “Every girl dreams about her wedding day and wants it to be perfect and Miheeka is no different. As her mother, I’m trying everything I can to make it special for her. I have one or two surprises in store for her and I can’t wait to see her reaction on the D-Day.”

RANA AND MIHEEKA TO HOST A PARTY FOR FRIENDS, WELL-WISHERS POST PANDEMIC
With many close friends of the couple not invited for the wedding, the families say that they will host a reception or a party for all their friends once COVID-19 situation gets better. “Yes, there are a lot of people who would like to bless the couple, but we have to think of safety at this time. Maybe once we get a vaccine or when the situation improves, we will host a party or a reception for those who missed out on the wedding,” says Suresh Babu.

Agreeing, Bunty adds, “So many of Miheeka’s friends from Mumbai were excited about the wedding, but cannot make it due to the pandemic. I’m sure she will throw one big party for them after COVID. Let’s hope that happens soon.”

— Inputs by Neeshita Nyayapati