India is a nation of true brotherhood, and the proof of the same is found in the deep-seated respect and acknowledgement people have for the faiths of others. Our favourite B-Town is no alien to this concept of unity in diversity. We have encountered many new inter-faith connections forming through relationships and marriages. One of the earliest inter-faith marriages we have witnessed when it comes to our favourite Bollywood stars is of Amrita Arora and her hubby, Shakeel Ladak, in the year 2009.
Indeed, their wedding celebrations reveal profoundly how two people and their families from entirely different cultures and faiths can come together for a blissful union. For the unversed, while Amrita is an actor herself and is the sibling of popular Bollywood diva, Malaika Arora, Shakeel happens to be a real-estate businessman.
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Like most filmy love stories where the lovers are often introduced through common friends, Amrita and Shakeel met each other precisely the same way. Amrita had known Shakeel for a long time, even before her marriage to him. Shakeel had already been married to Amrita's best friend from college, Nisha Rana, in 2006. So they bonded as mere acquaintances, especially considering the bond between Amrita and her best friend, Nisha. Furthermore, Amrita too was reportedly at the same time in a relationship with eminent cricketer, Usmaan Afzaal.
Well, as destiny would have wanted Amrita and Shakeel to be together as soulmates and not just as friendly acquaintances, the duo met again after a few years in 2008. However, the situation this time was completely different, as Shakeel had divorced his wife, Nisha Rana, due to reasons best known to him. On the other hand, Amrita had ended her erstwhile relationship with the cricketer, Usmaan Afzaal and was single then. Thereafter, destiny played cupid, and the two reconnected with each other, completely unaware of their current situations. What started as friendship rekindled became a case of infatuation and deep love soon after.
Well, the news of the blossoming relationship between Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak was not taken lightly by the latter's ex-wife, Nisha Rana. It was reported that she was completely in shock when she learned that her best friend had betrayed their friendship and had been dating her ex-husband. Nisha immediately took to the media and levied accusations against Amrita for stealing her husband. Such news forever broke Nisha and Amrita's friendship, bringing the latter's new relationship with Shakeel to a shaking pedestal.
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In such a distressed situation for the lovebirds, Amrita's mother, Joyce Arora, came to the rescue and decided to bring out the truth. Joyce clarified all such baseless accusations by her daughter's erstwhile friend, Nisha. She revealed that Shakeel had already informed her about his past relationship and divorce, and mentioned how Shakeel and Nisha's divorce paper mentioned the breakup of their marriage much before when Amrita even entered the scenario. This strong move cleared the air, and it was only then that the lovebirds decided to take the marital plunge and wait no longer.
With such a go-ahead from their respective families, Amrita and Shakeel's wedding preparations began in full swing. The couple decided to get married according to both of their religious faiths. Interestingly, Amrita belongs to an inter-religious family background. Her mother, Joyce Polycarp, is a Christian by faith, whereas her father, Anil Arora, is a Punjabi. On the other hand, Shakeel comes from a Muslim background. Therefore, their wedding culminated in a massive celebration of three entirely different religions, and the couple, too, had honoured each of them and included some of their rituals and traditions in their wedding.
The couple started their union by hosting a lavish Christian wedding in the morning at the famous Olive’s Restaurant in Mumbai on March 4, 2009. They exchanged rings and vows with their close friends and family in attendance. For the event, the then-bride-to-be, Amrita, opted for a gorgeous white-hued silk wedding gown from the designer, Ashley Rebello, that featured Swarovski crystals and rice pearls. She kept her tresses open and opted for minimal makeup and diamond jewellery. On the other hand, her then-groom-to-be, Shakeel, looked dashing in a simple grey-hued tuxedo teamed with a pair of cool sunnies. We also stumbled upon some glimpses of the pretty bridesmaids in her darling sister, Malaika Arora and besties, Kareena Kapoor and Arpita Khan, who looked gorgeous as they twinned in shades of pastel yellow and caramel hues.
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After the Christian wedding traditions, it was next time for some Punjabi dhamaal. Amrita’s best friend and Bollywood hunk, Salman Khan’s sister, Alvira Agnihotri, had arranged a lavish sangeet and mehendi ceremony for the couple at her place. Amrita looked adorable in a rani-pink-hued embellished suit for the rituals as she flaunted her henna-clad hands. Truly, this pre-wedding ritual gave Amrita lots of time to have a fun time with her besties and girl gang.
Last but not least, Amrita and Shakeel honoured the latter’s Muslim roots and said Qabool hai in a traditional nikah ceremony. The lavishly arranged event was held at the iconic Taj Lands End hotel in Mumbai. If reports are to be believed, all the preparations and arrangements had been solely undertaken and planned by Amrita’s sibling, Malaika Arora, along with the efforts put in by the eminent celebrity wedding planner, Ravi Bakru. For the event, Amrita had turned into a traditional Muslim bride and had opted for a red and gold-hued, heavily embellished lehenga from the shelves of Manish Malhotra. She paired it with a red-hued choli. Glam makeup, heavy diamond and emerald-encrusted polki jewellery, and glam makeup accentuated her look. On the other hand, her then-groom, Shakeel, stunned in a black-hued sherwani set designed by Vikram Phadnis.
Right after their nikaah, the couple opted for a change of attire as they came together with their friends and family to enjoy their lavish reception. For the last bit of celebrations, Amrita opted for a red and gold-hued lehenga choli with subtle magenta-hued highlights. Glam makeup, statement jewellery and open tresses accentuated her look. Her groom, Shakeel, complemented her in a classic black-hued velvet tuxedo. The guest list of the reception included some of the A-listers of Bollywood, such as Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Saif Ali Khan, and Karisma Kapoor, among others.
Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak's love story has inspired those who wish to fight the world for their love and never leave each other's side. They have vowed to love each other no matter what. Fast forward to today, the couple, even after having completed nearly fourteen years of togetherness, still looks fresh, and so in love, giving tough competition to any other new couple. In their personal lives, Amrita and Shakeel are also proud parents to their adorable sons, Azaan and Rayan. Indeed, the lovely family of four makes for an incredible team together.
Well, we loved the way how Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak conquered all hurdles of their love story and created a happily ever after. What about you? Let us know!
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