RajniKanth's Daughter Aishwarya & Actor Dhanush Wedding Photos

RajniKanth's Daughter Aishwarya & Actor Dhanush Wedding Photos, RealLife Photos

The wedding reception for Aishwarya, eldest daughter of Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, with young actor Dhanush, was the most anticipated and talked about event of the year.

The wedding on November 18 was a simple, quiet affair conducted at Rajnikanth's Poes Garden bungalow. The high profile guest was Rajni's neighbour, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The wedding ceremony was unusual because the thali (the South Indian version of the mangalsutra) was given to the bridegroom by Rajnikanth's guru, director K Balachander (unlike in the normal circumstances when the thali is presented by the father himself). After the wedding, it was work as usual for Rajni, as he chose to shoot for his new film, Chandramukhi.

Unlike the wedding, the reception on November 21 conducted at the Mayor Sri Ramanathan Chettiar Centre was a grand affair.

The hall was decorated tastefully befitting the father of the bride. Everyone who was anybody in Chennai was present, right from film to political personalities.

Outside the hall stood hundreds of people waiting to catch a glimpse of the stars. Rajni had instructed his fans not to come to Chennai to wish the young couple, as it would pose law and order problems.

Except for the VIPs, the others stood in queue, and produced the wedding invitation to gain entry into the hall. They did not seem to mind. After all, this was no ordinary wedding reception!

All guests had to go through a security check on the ground floor. The reception was on the second floor while vegetarian food was served on the first floor.

Absent was the loud musical performance that is the hallmark of weddings in Chennai. Only soft instrumental music wafted in the air.

Though people like actor Vijay's wife had been calling to wish the couple right from the morning, the function started at 6 pm.

The bride wore a red gold-sequined sari and the bridegroom wore a white silk dhoti and shirt. They were there on stage with their respective parents and relatives. Like his son-in-law, Rajni was also attired in a white silk dhoti and shirt while his wife Lata looked radiant in a golden silk sari.

Dhanush's father Kasthuriraja, Rajnikanth, Chandrababu Naidu, Aishwarya, Dhanush, Dhanush's mother Vijaylaxmi, and Lata

But the lady who stole the show was the bride's sister Soundarya, who stood behind her elder sibling throughout the evening. She looked ravishing, as did actress Sridevi (not to be mistaken with Mrs Boney Kapoor) who gave her company.

Sridevi is the daughter of actor Vijayakumar, a close friend of Rajni.

Accompanying them were Shriya Reddy and her sister, Deepti. Shriya's first film with Mammootty, Black has just been released in Kerala.

Sridevi (second from left) and Soundarya (third from left)

Like he stood alongside Rajni when he undertook a day long fast to demand release of the Cauvery river water for Chennai, Vijayakumar stood at the entrance and received guests with a smile.

One of the first VIPs to arrive was DMK leader M Karunanidhi. As Jayalalithaa was expected to be present (and she was), Karunanidhi had stayed away from the wedding ceremony.

The moment Karunanidhi entered, Rajni stepped down from the stage and escorted him to the couple. While departing too, Karunanidhi was seen leaning on Rajni's shoulder. Karunanidhi's nephews Dayanidhi Maran and Kalanidhi Maran accompanied him, his son M K Stalin arrived later.

With Karunanidhi (third from right)

Other political heavyweights included G K Vasan from the Congress, Dr Subramanian Swamy of the Janata Party and Dr Krishnasamy of the Puthiya Thamizhagam.

Only the VVIPs were taken directly to the stage. Prominent actors, actresses and technicians had to stand in long queues to wish the couple. Hundreds of police personnel and security people from several agencies were engaged to control the crowd.

This year's National Award winner Vikram strolled in, clad in a white shirt and black trousers, with long curls down flowing down his head. This was his new look for Shankar's Anniyan. Madhavan arrived with his wife.

Vijay and Surya were present at the wedding, they were not seen at the reception. Though major stars from the Telugu and Kannada attended either the wedding or the reception, there were no artistes from the Malayalam film industry. Also noted was the absence of Tamil star Ajith.

Top: With Madhavan and wife. Bottom: With Vikram

The Hindi film industry was represented by Jackie Shroff, Vinod Khanna, Hema Malini and Rajni's close friend Shatrughan Sinha.

With Jackie Shroff and Vinod Khanna

The star of the evening was, yes, you guessed it right, the Big B. The moment he entered the hall at 8 pm with wife Jaya Bachchan, there was a moment of silence, followed by loud cheering and whistling.

The invited continued applauding when Amitabh Bachchan hugged Rajni.

Both Aishwarya and Dhanush touched his feet and sought his blessings. In return, he kissed Dhanush!

With Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan

By the time the function got over, the couple and both the families might have been extremely tired.

But Rajni and his wife looked like the happiest parents smiling at guests and accepting their wishes. They seemed to enjoy every moment of one of the biggest day in their daughter's life.

Super Star RAJNIKANTH Profile