Ira Khan-Nupur Shikhare Antics Reflect India's Evolved Wedding Scene

Many are judgemental about people spending lacs and crores on a wedding. The reaction changes from case to case. In some instances, it draws a sigh, a look of awe, a little bit of jealousy, and sometimes disgust hidden in mean jokes at the ostentatiousness of crazy budget marriages and among few, there are feelings of part disbelief and part admiration at the spending power in a country, where many go hungry, nights on end. 

Marriage is a social denominator and a sign of personal success. So, in this situation, very few feel that it is a colossal waste of money, considering many marriages, unfortunately fall apart within a year. Some optimistic believers are never deterred by the rise in divorce cases in India. They like to give attention to the happily ever after stories. But the reality is that there are stories that change, even before we have spelt the words correctly. The allegations against one another after the relationship has gone sour, is unbelievable, that just a year back, there were so many pretty pictures of coupledom, that most would believe that it was forever and ever. Therefore naturally, Aamir Khan’s son-in-law, Nupur Shikhare, a fitness instructor by profession getting married to Ira Khan, is news. He makes it more viral by arriving at the wedding venue and jogging. It doesn’t stop there, he is wearing a vest, a pair of shorts and trainers. 

This is truly laudable, as first time ever, no psychotic horse is running astray, no band baaja baraat and brands spilling out like toffees out of an overfilled bag. This is like a never ever before wedding in India. It is from the exercise pitch to being hitched, truly the best as it can get. 

Has The Band Baaja Baraat Scene Changed In India?

The latest star weddings are all conducted in exotic destinations. These are strictly for the well-heeled. Guests are flown in and booked in 5-star property hotels. Here the wedding party isn’t about the groom and the bride only. There are layers to this. The higher the budget, the more curated the guest lists. 

Among these elite lists, many are business partners, some guests are invited purely to pass on a government tender to take the business ahead. It is about networking and also flexing their wealth. Many guests are invited, just to get an invite in return for their family wedding. It is daunting to even imagine the minute planning of the guest lists, and their seating arrangements while ensuring that all the guests including the aunts and the uncles' ego plus mood are catered to. 

Weddings for the rich are also incomplete without the Sabya sari and lehengas. The jadau jewellery set and multiple occasions to mark the day of the couple’s married life. Therefore, Amir Khan’s son-in-law is setting the standard for inappropriate clothing as a groom. This is quite fascinating, as he wears the most outrageous gear for his big day.

It is also absolutely rebellious of him to jog to his wedding venue too. One would imagine, a Dharavi dweller doing this, who has no access to an A/C car, and the timing for the wedding mahurat is non-negotiable. So jogging through the streets like a commoner is quite the challenge. 

Nupur Shikhare has definitely taken the biggest leap in the star wedding of 2023 because of his sweaty groom antic. 

Also, Ira’s and Nupur’s wedding is a great reflection of changing times, as the groom and the bride clicked photos with their father, Aamir Khan’s ex-wives, their two sets of mothers and step-siblings for the big happy family photo opportunity. 

Amir Khan is seen smiling with both his ex-wives taking turns dancing and clicking photos. He is seen wearing a dhoti kurta, a turban and a coat to complete the look. The marriage market in India, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is expecting to earn businesses worth ₹4.74 lakh crore, out of the total of 38 lakh marriages from the wedding season. This is the highest ever. This estimate comes after CAIT expected a whopping 35 lakh weddings to be solemnised in a span of just 23 days between November 23 to December 15, 2023. 

Therefore Nupur Shikhare really set the trend by dressing down and also reiterating that marriages are made in heaven and some special ones are made in your father’s exercise studio. 

Views expressed are the author's own.

Mohua Chinappa is an author and runs a podcast called The Mohua Show.