Mahurats, first look launches, trailer launches, music album launches, premieres…there is never a dull moment in the glitzy world of Bollywood and 2012 was no different. Here’s a look at some of the top events which grabbed quite a few headlines.
• Kareena Kapoor – Saif Ali Khan Wedding
The most awaited weddings of the year, the ‘IT’ couple Saifeena finally tied the knot in October. Though the marriage was a private family affair with the couple exchanging the wows at their Bandra residence, the reception was a grand affair what with most Bollywood stars and many politicians attending it.
• Genelia D’souza – Riteish Deshmukh Wedding
The other cute couple which got hitched this year was Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’souza. Having started their Bollywood journey together it was great to see the two lovebirds – who insisted that theirs was an arranged marriage – finally have their dream marriage early this year. From the pre-wedding bash to the sangeet to the wedding to the reception – each was a star studded event.
• Esha Deol – Bharat Takhtani Wedding
One can safely say that it was a season of star weddings this year. Esha Deol got married to her boyfriend of two years, Bharat, in a full-on Bollywood style wedding. While mom Hema Malini and dad Dharmendra were present to give their blessings to the couple, the absence of Sunny and Bobby did create some controversy.
• Jab Tak Hai Jaan Premiere
The year will be remembered for the loss of the maker of epic romances, Yash Raj Chopra. His last directorial venture, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, got the fitting flag off that the legend deserved. No surprises that the entire Bollywood clan made it a point to attend the event which in spirit was more of a tribute to Yashji than an actual premiere.
• Priyanka Chopra’s International Single Launch
In what is probably a first for Bollywood, Priyanka launched her first single ‘In My City’ at a grand event in Mumbai. Pairing up with will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), the single was launched in Mumbai a good 6 hours before it premiered at the NFLN (National Football League Network) as its theme song.
• Big B’s Birthday bash
Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his 70th birthday this year and it was quite an event what with almost everyone from Bollywood as well as the television stars, industrialists and politicians attending the grand affair. Definitely one of the biggest bashes the industry has seen Big B himself tweeted that “The celebration for 70, the best and the biggest ever for me … never before and never after …”
• Toronto International Film Festival
The 37th Toronto International Film Festival held in September saw quite a few Bollywood movies making their world premiere. Prominent among them were Deepa Mehta’s Midnight Children and Gaurvi Shinde’s English Vinglish which saw the entire cast of both the movies on the red carpet. As part of the City to City program, ten other movies were showcased which included Shanghai, Gangs of Wasseypur (1 & 2), Miss Lovely, The Bright Day, Mumbai’s King, Peddlers, Shahid and Ship of Theseus.
• Lakme Fashion Week
Though the year has seen many fashion shows, LFW – both Summer/Resort and Winter/Festive – always remain the most awaited and star-studded fashion shows and this year was no different. From designers like Wendell Rodricks to Anita Dongre to Shivan and Naresh to Manish Malhotra to Neeta Lulla and many Bollywood stars being showstoppers, LFW made sure that it was never low on fashion and glamour quotient.
• Dabanng 2 Premiere
Where there’s Chulbul Pandey aka our Sallu, we know that the Film Industry is right behind to show its support. The sequel to the hugely liked Dabanng had its premiere recently and needless to say, Bollywood came to attend and in style. Even the usually media shy stars like Aamir Khan made an exception for this Khan!
