No cash crunch or BJP boycott at blockbuster Reddy wedding
BENGALURU: The blockbuster wedding that everyone has been talking about is finally here. As Ballari mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy’s daughter ties the knot on Wednesday at a time of demonetisation, there was no evidence of any cash crunch at the wedding venue on Palace Grounds, which incidentally is on Ballari Road.
Huge and ostentatious wedding sets, Samba dancers from Brazil and Kathakali artistes from closer home, a heavy sprinkling of politicians, stars and celebrities and a paan counter itself worth Rs. 25 lakh were some of the highlights at the pre-nuptial bash on Tuesday evening.
All talk of BJP leaders shying away from attending the gala affair was put to rest as state party president Yeddyurappa and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar among others, arrived to bless the couple.
While traffic cops struggled to manage the heavy traffic outside the venue, Bangalore Palace was transported into the era of the glorious Vijayanagara empire. A replica of the groom’s house in Hyderabad and a temple and a village-like setting of Ballari were among the other big sets.
On Wednesday morning, Reddy’s daughter Bramhani will tie the knot with Hyderabad-based businessman Rajeev Reddy and it promises to be another statement in ostentation.
Sources estimate that Reddy, who was jailed on charges of illegal mining, is spending Rs. 150 crore on the wedding. However, a complaint lodged with I-T department estimates it to be around Rs. 650 crore.
About 180 bouncers have been hired to keep trouble at bay as Reddy’s close aide B Sriraramulu oversees the preparations. The menu was strictly vegetarian, with South and North Indian and Chinese dishes. Reddy’s favourite Gulzhar Paan from Ballari was another speciality.
A bevy of dancers and foreign models in traditional attire welcomed guests while stars and singers like Yash, Arun Sagar, Anushree, Haripriya, Shankar Mahadevan, KS Chitra and Vijay Prakash entertained the audience.