The Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel was earlier the residence of the Maharajah of Jodhpur. After the abolition of the privy purses and titles by the Indira Gandhi government five decades back the Maharajah handed over the palace to the ITC. The company refurbished the palace and converted it into a luxury five-star deluxe resort cum heritage hotel. Called the Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel, it was the venue of the wedding of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jones. CNN has reported that a Christian wedding took place on Wednesday and a Hindu wedding will take place on Sunday.
The marriage between the 36-year-old Priyanka Chopra to a man ten years younger to her is by itself a rare event as mostly all over the world men invariably marry a younger woman. In that respect, the marriage has not fired the imagination and adulation of the Indian masses compared to the wedding of actor Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in Italy a few days back. Both these stars were part of the movie "Padmavati" against which an agitation had been mounted. Both are top stars in Bollywood, and their affair dates back to at least three years. The Hindustan Times has reported that the couple Priyanka and Nick is happy and pictures released of the couple confirm it.
Unconventional marriage
The marriage is unconventional, and one is reminded of a similar marriage between Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh who was 12 years elder to him.
The marriage ended in divorce after two children, and Saif Ali Khan has married actress Kareena Kapoor. Indian cricket player Shikar Dhawan has also married a girl who is ten years older to him.
Nick Jones and Priyanka first met in 2017 and initially kept the plans of the wedding under wraps. It is reported that Nick Jones took the initiative in proposing to the Bollywood and Hollywood star and the ball was set rolling for a lavish wedding in India at Jodhpur.
Nicks father officiated at the Christian wedding which will now be followed up by a traditional Hindu wedding on Sunday. This will involve lengthy ceremonies like Mehndi ceremony followed by taking seven rounds of the sacred fire overseen by Hindu priests.
Lost position
Priyanka was a top Bollywood star and one of the few Indian actresses who got a role in American show business and Hollywood.
She did well as the "Quantico" star, but her Hollywood career has not really taken off despite a stellar role in "Baywatch" which turned out to be an inconsequential Film for her. In the bargain, she has also lost her preeminence position as the top Bollywood star.
The couple seems to be in love with each other, and that by itself is what really matters. All eyes are now on Ranbir Kapoor who is still a bachelor though touching 36.
