Will they put a ring on it?

2020 may just be the year of big fat Indian weddings in tinseltown

Will they? Won't they? The question about Bollywood couples finalising their relationship with a formal marriage has always remained a question mark.
This state of suspense, so to speak, has constantly provided grist to the gossip mills. Guessing games are played right till the much-conjectured D-day. The reason for procrastination is obvious. Before star careers have been firmly established, cancellations and postponements become endemic. A marriage is traditionally predicted to reduce the market equity of stars.
Another factor: In case the bride steps into the family's way, the production comes to a halt. Indeed, the shoot of Veere Di Wedding had to be postponed for a year till Kareena Kapoor Khan became mother to Taimur and was ready to return to the studios.
Of course in the past, there are examples of Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan, who sought to keep their marriages a secret, till the news was either scooped by newshounds and there was no point denying the blitzkrieg of rumours.
Nothing, after all, can be kept under the wraps in a show business that thrives on ferreting the tiniest details of the star constellation. Occasionally, the intended saat pheras can be stonewalled, the most prominent case being that of Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma Kapoor. Unfortunately, owing to last-minute differences arising between their families, the two much-in-love couple separated.
Last year didn't witness too many star weddings. The expected alliance between the Romanian model and TV hostess Iulia Vantur and Salman Khan didn't materialise, reconfirming Khan's reputation of being a chronic bachelor.
This year, though, the calendar may be packed with grand mehendi ceremonies, formal weddings, followed in most cases by lavish receptions. Whether these will take place within B-town itself or at exotic destinations is being debated. In addition, the reports about the starry alliances are also suffixed with the caveat of "most probably".
Here's looking, then, at the probable star weddings, fingers crossed.

RANBIR KAPOOR & ALIA BHATT
The inseparable duo is slated to wed by the year-end. Currently  completing the magnum opus Brahmastra, the twosome have been seen together regularly and have got the nod from Ranbir's parents Neetu and Rishi Kapoor.
Alia had split from her beau Sidharth Malhotra and Ranbir had gone through a series of widely-reported liaisons, including the ones linking him with Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. The commitment-phobic Ranbir seems to have finally chosen his life partner, and bets are on that they will get married soon after the release of Brahmastra on December 4 this year.

RICHA CHADDA & ALI FAZAL
The feisty Richa Chada has gone on record to state that she will marry her steady boyfriend Ali Fazal either in June or July this year. A confirmed secularist, the inter-communal marriage to Ali Fazal (most famously known for co-starring with Judi Dench in the English language film Victoria & Abdul) was a given ever since their romance blossomed on the sets of the popular comedy Fukrey, which was followed up by the sequel Fukrey Returns.
Both share common interests in theatre and literature besides holding strong political views. "Two people with similar value systems got into this pool of showbiz," Richa has exulted. "We found each other and are happy with each other. That, by itself, is a miracle."

VARUN DHAWAN & NATASHA DALAL
When Varun had resolved to become an actor by debuting in Student of the Year, Natasha, who was going steady with him ever since their college days, had broken up. Varun was heartbroken and said so in print. Fortuitously, there was a patch-up, and the two have sorted their differences.
Lately, a party was hosted to celebrate the birthday of Natasha's father. Their families met, sparking rumours of a roka ceremony. Varun immediately countered that with a tweet, saying please don't jump to conclusions. However, his uncle, the yesteryear actor Anil Dhawan, has admitted that marriage is on the cards. The exact date and venue haven't been disclosed yet.

MALAIKA ARORA & ARJUN KAPOOR
Despite their declarations of love for each other on the social media, Arjun has been warding off reporters with the stock reply on the lines of que sera sera. Ever since Malaika divorced Arbaaz Khan, the twosome have been spotted holidaying overseas, at restaurants and filmland soirees. It is being conjectured that Arjun wants his sister, Anshula, to settle down first, besides stabilising his fluctuating career and then exchange vows with Malaika.
The other Bollywood couples who may or may not take the plunge are several - Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani, Shraddha Kapoor and ace photographer Rohan Shrestha, Sushmita Sen and her partner, model Rohman Shawl.
The paparazzi keeps shadowing them, the public knows about every breath they take. Yet, as always, there could be the proverbial slip between the cup and lip. So, here's waiting to hear the peals of wedding bells. As that oft-quoted piece of film dialogue goes, "Picture abhi baaki hai."  
wknd@khaleejtimes.com