Birthday boy Salman Khan reflects on his 54th that was marked by two parties and the late-night visit by Shah Rukh Khan
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 28, 2019)

Given his larger-than-life persona, intimate parties too take on a new meaning when it comes to Salman Khan. The superstar rang in his 54th birthday in the early hours of Friday with a bash at brother Sohail Khan's house.

Only that the "intimate" do saw a bevy of Bollywood stars — including Katrina Kaif, his Dabangg 3 co-stars Sonakshi Sinha and Kichcha Sudeep, Tabu and Raveena Tandon, among others — head to Bandra to wish the actor.

As the hours went by, the party venue shifted from the Pali Hill residence to the street as Khan stepped out to pose for the waiting photographers. It was evident that the birthday boy was in a generous mood when he insisted that a fan — who was stopped at the gate by the security — be allowed in the building premises, and obliged him by cutting the cake he had brought along.


When told that his birthday has become a grand annual event that Bollywood looks forward to, Khan said, "Whenever I get to spend time with my family, it becomes a special day for me, regardless of whether it's my birthday or any other occasion. Yesterday too, my entire family came together to celebrate with me."

Shah Rukh Khan, who wouldn't miss the big day of one of his closest friends, arrived fashionably late at 3.30 am and stayed on till the wee hours of the morning. "Shah Rukh is a dear friend. We share a deep bond. Even if we do not meet on a daily basis, we are very much in touch."

The double celebration — the party at Sohail's, and a meet-and-greet with the media and fans at Mehboob Studios on Friday — behind him, Khan will take the party to his Panvel farmhouse over the weekend. "My family and Sohail planned a small get-together, which became a grand event. At Panvel, I will spend time with close friends."

For the first time, the former’s b’day bash was held at Sohail Khan’s residence instead of the family Panvel farmhouse
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2019)

Salman Khan rang in his 54th birthday with a house party at younger brother Sohail Khan’s residence in Pali Hill on Thursday. According to the actor’s sister, Alvira Khan Agnhotri, the change in venue happened as the youngest Khan sibling, Arpita, was due to give birth on December 27. “Every year we celebrate Salman bhai’s birthday at the Panvel farmhouse, but this year, Sohail decided to host the party at home,” she told Mirror.

Besides Salim and Salma Khan, Helen, brothers Sohail and Arbaaz, sisters Alvira and Arpita with their husbands Atul Agnihotri and Aayush Sharma respectively, industry friends were also in attendance. Shah Rukh Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Katrina Kaif, Ali Abbas Zafar, Iulia Vantur, Sajid Nadiadwala with wife Warda, Pulkit Samrat, Aditya Roy Kapur, Tusshar Kapoor, Vidya Balan and husband Siddharth Roy Kapur, Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani were spotted at the do, as also the birthday boy’s new costars Saiee Manjrekar and Kichcha Sudeep.

Abhimanyu Dassani, son of Salman’s Maine Pyar Kiya co-star Bhagyashree, turned up with Salman’s famous jacket from the 1989 film. The actor was only too happy to receive it and spent a better part of the evening wearing it.

The party started at 10 pm on the first floor of the residence, with the area divided into three sections. While Salman met all the guests on the terrace, the hall was reserved for dancing and cake-cutting, where guests grooved to some of Salman’s chartbusters. The live kitchen was set up in the balcony, and the three-course menu included Mughlai delicacies, including seekh kebab, Kandhari paneer tikka, murgh korma and nawabi aloo.

Salman cut a four-tier strawberry cake with father Salim and Arpita’s son, Ahil, before greeting fans who had gathered outside the building. SRK arrived at 2.30 am and the two actors spent most of the time chatting. The party wrapped up at 7 am on Friday.

Hours after wife Arpita Khan Sharma gives birth to a baby girl, Aayush Sharma on giving Salman Khan the best birthday gift he could ask for!
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 28, 2019)

Salman Khan couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift — the superstar turned mamujaan again as sister Arpita Khan Sharma gave birth to baby daughter Ayat on Friday afternoon. Aayush Sharma was by Arpita's side throughout the day as friends and members of the Khan-daan made rounds of Hinduja Healthcare Surgical in Khar to meet the latest addition to the family.

When mid-day spoke to Sharma, the second-time daddy — the couple is parents to three-year-old Ahil — was naturally over the moon. "I always wanted a daughter. Arpita and Ahil were hoping for a boy. Thank God, it's a girl! The family is complete now. [What makes it more special] is that Ayat is the first girl born in my family [the Sharmas]," he beamed.

Holding little Ayat in his arms was a precious feeling, said Sharma. "I thought I was [emotionally] ready because it's my second time as a father, but I felt overwhelmed on seeing her. Having a baby is an indescribable feeling."

On Friday evening, an overjoyed Salman took to Twitter to thank Arpita and Sharma for bringing the little bundle of joy into his life. In the final months of her pregnancy, it was reported that Arpita and Sharma were keen that their baby share her birthday with her famous mamujaan, and had accordingly scheduled a C-section for December 27. "It's a mere coincidence that the baby's due date came around Bhai's birthday. When I told him about Ayat's arrival, he was excited."

Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2019)

Aayush and Arpita Khan Sharma welcomed their second child, daughter Ayat, on Friday at a Khar hospital. The new mother had opted for a C-section on December 27, so it would coincide with elder brother Salman Khan’s 54th birthday.

Aayush, who began shooting for his second film, Kwatha, earlier this week, took a 10-day break to be by Arpita’s side. “I have a two-month outdoor shoot coming up, so I wanted to be at home before that”, says the actor, adding that he is better prepared to be a father after welcoming son Ahil three years ago.

The couple had arranged for a makeshift nursery for their second child as their Bandra home is undergoing renovations. “We’re making our home more baby-friendly and creating a bigger space for Ahil. There will be two new rooms for the kids, with separate sections for both,” informs the new father. Aayush goes on to add that Ahil was excited about the new arrival but also concerned. “Now, he’s being the protective elder brother and telling everyone that they need his permission to meet Ayat.”

No Panvel birthday bash this year, Salman Khan to ring in his birthday at brother Sohail Khan's Bandra pad with mum-to-be Arpita Khan Sharma by his side
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 25, 2019)

If it's the last week of December, your safest bet to spot Bollywood stars is at Panvel. After all, every year, Salman Khan throws open the doors of his farmhouse where his friends and family gather to celebrate his birthday. But this year, the superstar will trade his glitzy Panvel bash for an intimate family soirée — mid-day has learnt that Khan, who is keen to be by sister Arpita's side in the last few days of her pregnancy, will ring in his 54th birthday at Sohail Khan's apartment in Bandra.

A source reveals, "Salman has chosen to stay put this year due to professional and personal reasons. He is busy shooting for his Eid 2020 release, Radhe. More importantly, it has been heard that Arpita has scheduled a C-section delivery on December 27 at the Hinduja Healthcare Surgical in Khar, as she wants her baby to share his/her birthday with Salman. So, the family has planned to ring in his big day tomorrow night at the Pali Hill residence. The guest list includes Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, David and Varun Dhawan, Kabir Khan and wife Mini Mathur, and Jacqueline Fernandez. Prabhudheva, Sonakshi Sinha and Saiee Manjrekar, who are riding high on the success of Dabangg 3, will also be present."

From groom Nick crooning for bride at the white wedding to PeeCee’s emotional moment at the jaimala, mid-day brings you inside details from ‘global shaadi of the year’
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 3, 2018)

After the elaborate mehendi and sangeet celebrations on Friday, the weekend saw India’s favourite export Priyanka Chopra tie the knot with beau Nick Jonas in two separate ceremonies — a Christian wedding and a Hindu wedding. The desi girl gave the Jonas family a taste of Indian tradition as she followed all the customs before taking the saat pheras yesterday at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur.

One of the guests told mid-day, “The functions started as early as 8 am yesterday. The ceremonies kicked off with a puja; Nick was intrigued as he joined his bride for the mauli ceremony [where the sacred thread is tied on the wrists of the groom and bride]. Priyanka’s brother Siddharth was constantly by the Jonases’ side, explaining the significance of each ritual to them. Priyanka even indulged in a quick haldi ceremony before enjoying the chura ceremony in the afternoon. As per the custom, her uncle gifted her 21 bangles which were bathed in milk and rose petals. Her friends, including Arpita Khan Sharma, Srishti Behl Arya, Anjula Acharia and cousin Parineeti Chopra, followed it up by tying kalide.”

The Hindu wedding started at 6 pm after the Sehrabandi puja, where a family member of the groom ties the turban. The source added, “A cheer went up among the guests as the bride and groom came face-to-face at the mandap. Priyanka teared up during the jaimala session.”

The guest reveals that the white wedding on Saturday was just as exquisite, with the groom dedicating a song to his better half. “The bride and the groom wrote their own vows. It was followed by a beautiful speech by Priyanka’s mother. PeeCee turned emotional during the speech as she missed her father sorely. ”

It is heard that the Christian wedding was followed by a five-course meal, prepared by chefs who were handpicked by the couple. “Since PeeCee loves flowers, each table was named after a specific flower.”

Troubled by trolls
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas became man and wife on Saturday with the pop star's father Kevin Jonas officiating the Christian wedding. Shortly after the ceremony, the skies lit up with an extravagant display of fireworks. No sooner had the pictures gone viral on the Internet than netizens started trolling the couple. They called out Chopra for her ‘ hypocrisy’ since she was the face of an anti-pollution campaign during Diwali.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 28, 2018)

Preparations for Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ grand shaadi are on in full swing at Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace. Their respective families will fly out tomorrow to the desert city. Says a source, “They have booked a chartered flight that will take them to Jodhpur. From there, they will be taken to the hotel in a chopper.” The mehendi and sangeet will be organised on Thursday at the same venue, where Nick will perform a few songs, including some of PC’s hit numbers. Like we had earlier told you, the couple will also recreate the first date they went to. On November 30, their rishtedaars will gather for the haldi ceremony, followed by a cocktail party the next evening. Earlier, the pre-wedding ceremonies were supposed to be held at the Mehrangarh Fort, but they were later shifted due to security concerns.

INDO-WESTERN WEDDINGS
Like Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, Nickyanka, too, will reportedly take their nuptial vows twice, in sync with each other’s traditions and customs. Both the weddings will be solemnised on December 2. “The Christian ceremony will happen first, after which Nickyanka will change their outfits and get ready for the Hindu nuptials. Their outfits are colour-coordinated,” adds the source.

The couple has booked the hotel till December 3, and will relax the next day before they fly to the capital. Though speculations have been rife that no one from Bollywood has been invited for the celebrations, we have learnt that PC’s besties — Srishti Behl Arya, Mubina Rattonsey and Arpita Khan Sharma, along with hubby Aayush Sharma will be present for the D-Day. Along with that, we hear, invites have been sent to the team of The Sky Is Pink, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif among others.

TWO RECEPTIONS
Following this, the duo will fly to New Delhi on December 3 where the Chopras have apparently organised a lavish reception for the family members at the Taj Palace Hotel the next day. A source states, “Priyanka and Nick have already chosen their outfits with the former opting for an Indian designer for the occasion.” Right after this, PC will fly back to Mumbai before zooming off to Sikkim with her mother on December 6 to attend a press conference for her regional production venture, Pahuna.

Another informer tells us, “The jodi will throw a big bash for the film fraternity and industry insiders in Mumbai, but they are yet to zero in on a particular date for the same. It’s likely to happen in the second week of December. The team is working out the logistics.”

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 20, 2018)

The revelry at Priyanka Chopra’s Juhu residence continued late into Saturday, the day she officially got engaged to American singer-songwriter Nick Jonas. After the couple’s Punjabi-style roka ceremony and Ganesh puja, it was time for their families and friends to let their hair down at a bash arranged to raise a toast to the newly engaged duo.

A source close to the actress shares, “PeeCee and her mother Madhu personally looked into all the arrangements, with the help of a ceremony planner. Nick’s mother was wearing Indian outfits for both the functions, which were chosen by Priyanka. She made it a point to see that her parents-in-law and Nick were comfortable at home, in the presence of her family and fraternity friends.”

At the party, Priyanka’s guest list included people she’s known to be close to. Filmmakers like Sidharth Roy Kapur, Ronnie Screwvala, Sidharth Anand, Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali attended the bash and wished the couple on their big day. Parineeti Chopra, who delivered an emotional speech at the roka, and PeeCee’s younger brother Sidharth attended to the guests.

Alia Bhatt, Arpita Khan Sharma, Aayush Sharma, Shrishti Behl Arya, Anusha Dandekar and Isha Ambani were seen hanging around with Nick and Priyanka. Chef Chinu Vaze, known to given Indian delicacies a foreign twist, was in-charge of the kitchen, supervised by PeeCee’s brother.

DJ Khushi Soni, who played at Pharrell Williams and Ranveer Singh’s Holi bash earlier this year, was in charge of the music at this party, too. The playlist included Nick and PeeCee’s chartbusters among other dance hits. “The mood at the party was very relaxed and casual. Everyone was dancing and making merry. Nick was busy taking videos with his ladylove while they were on the dance floor with her friends, all of whom have already warmed up to him,” says a guest who attended the bash.

While a wedding date is yet to be finalised, preparations for the big day have already kicked in. At the time of going to press, Nick and his parents were in India and were expected to head back to the USA.


Mukesh and Nita Ambani with their daughter Isha


Denise Jonas and Madhu Chopra




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DJ Khushi, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' engagement after-party DJ Khushi and friends on what happened in the year's biggest engagement
Mohar Basu and Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 20, 2018)

It was a heart-warming morning that cinephiles woke up to in the weekend-gone-by, as pictures of Priyanka Chopra's roka ceremony filled their social media news feeds on Saturday.

Clad in a yellow Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla suit, Bollywood's coveted actor sealed her relationship with American musician Nick Jonas in an intimate ceremony. And while it was only family in attendance to witness the celebration, the real party commenced at night at PC's Juhu home.

Having hired DJ Khushi for her big night, the actor, we learn, looked happy as she danced the night away. The DJ tells mid-day, "I was conscious about giving her celebrated track, Desi Girl, a miss, because I didn't want PC and Nick to become exhibits at their own party. I wanted them to have a good time."

On the play list were songs like Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani and Bom-Diggy. To appease the music sensibilities of the American, a fair share of Western tracks, particularly those of Cardi B and Drake, also got the guests dancing. "Nick Jonas's spirit is more Indian than American. He let his lady lead the way throughout the celebrations. The duo's sense of music is similar."

A 15-kilo cake from Tier Nom Patisserie was ordered to serve the 30-odd guests. A source who attended the celebration says, "Everybody wants to know when they'll get married. It would be soon, but given her schedule, and Nick's tours, it will take effort to arrive on a date. It will be after she wraps up The Sky Is Pink, for which she starts filming next week."

While some suggested a year-end date is being considered for her wedding, other stated that they would tie the knot on Jonas's birthday on September 16. A few in the know also said the couple is eyeing an international location to exchange vows. Yesterday, the actor — along with mother Madhu Chopra, and Jonas's parents Denise Miller-Jonas and Kevin Jonas Sr — was spotted at Andheri's St Catherine Orphan Home. It is heard they made a sizeable donation.




Mushtaq Shiekh, Alia Bhatt and Arpita Khan Sharma at the engagement party on Saturday evening


Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra with Kevin Jonas Sr. and Madhu Chopra. Pic/Instagram, Yogen Shah